Japan's softwood lumber imports surge 23% year-on-year by June.

Japan’s softwood lumber imports grew by 23% year-on-year to 1,856,000 m³ by June, with global prices at $353 per m³.

The higher global prices have balanced out the increased costs for European and North American timber mills.

Canada was the top exporter to Japan, sending 460,000 m³, a 37% increase and 25% of total imports.

Sweden exported 369,000 m³ of softwood to Japan, a 36% rise.

Finland’s exports to Japan increased by 5% to 289,000 m³.

Russia, which has not imposed sanctions, supplied 265,000 m³ of softwood to Japan, up 12%.