Note: More recent and granular data is available through the FWPA Data Dashboard.
In July 2024, monthly softwood sales were 241,879 m3 up 9.5% on the prior month. On the more stable year-end measure, sales for the 12 months were 2.723 million m3 which were down -2.6% on the previous period.
We can drill down into the total sales by looking at the sales by product category. The FWPA softwood data series covers 8 product groups which represent an aggregation of the more detailed data submitted by softwood sawmills to the FWPA each month.
Export lifts but from a low base
The biggest increase year-ending July 2024 was in exports which were up 36.7% to 71,878m3. This category can cover any product but generally includes sales of lower grade products or packaging materials. In addition, expansion of export sales can also reflect difficult local market conditions.
Another product category growing during the period was appearance grade, which was up 21.6% to 17,504m3 in year-ending July 2024.
Importantly the structural sales remain the biggest category by volume with sales of structural untreated up 3.5% to 705,793m3 compared to the previous period offset to some extent by a decline in structural treated which was down 3.4% to 651,927.
Main structural grades and trends
Let’s now look at the main structural categories in detail to see trends in sales over the past 2 years.
The trend line during this period remains relatively flat.
(FWPA Product Definition: Structural Untreated, <120mm Untreated, Seasoned (Kiln Dried or Air Dried), Pine Structural Framing 70 x 35 up to 90 x 45 MGP or F Grades – may include FJ studs. Also includes >120mm Pine Structural Framing 120 x 35 up to 290 x 45 MGP or F Grades)
The year-end % change for the last 6 months has been positive and while monthly sales are more volatile sales for the month of July 2024 were up 2.34% to 705,793m3
By comparison the Structural Treated products trend line has been down over the past 2 years.
(FWPA Product Definition: Structural Treated <120mm (LOSP H2), Seasoned (Kiln Dried or Air Dried), pine structural framing 70 x 35 up to 140 x 45, MGP or F Grades. Also includes Structural Treated > 120mm Large end section 120x35mm, 120x45mm, 140x45mm, 190x45mm MGP or F Grades)
Whilst the trend has been negative monthly Structural Treated sales were up 6.03% to 651,927m3 in July.
Grade substitution identified
There is a degree of substitution between structural treated and structural untreated grades. However, if we look at the combined product category over the past decade or so combined year-end sales of structural product year-end July of 1.347 million m3 has declined to levels last seen in July 2015.
This is against a backdrop where the proportion of structural sales to total softwood sales have ranged from a high of 54% in in July 2011 to 48% in July 2024.
