Australia increases Estonian timber imports

New official timber trade statistics in Australia show the country is increasing its import of sawn wood from Estonia.

Data from the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARE) showed that the total value of sawn wood imports increased by six per cent to $430 million (£267 million). Volumes increased by 19 per cent to equal 748,000.

While New Zealand remains the largest exporter to Australia, there were large increases in supplies obtained from Estonia, Lithuania and Sweden.

Allan Hansard, chief executive of National Association of Forest Industries, speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, explained the increase in imported wood was largely due to the sharp rise in the Australian house building sector.

He added the slowdown in the Europe and US housing market has also meant that timber had been reallocated to Australia.

Recent data from Estonia Statistics showed that the country enjoyed its highest exports in almost two years during the month of September.