Wood products market in 1978 and prospects for 1979

The international wood products market in 1978 generally followed positive economic trends in Western Europe and the United States and was characterized by a rate of increase. Only a certain slowdown was noticed in the growth of softwood imports, which in the first half-year of 1978 was accompanied by a remarkable fall in prices for such goods.

Reasons should not be sought in reduced consumption but in speculative importer's stockpiling.

In 1979, there is to be expected - as a whole - a slow increase in consumption of all wooden products, which shall not necessarily be accompanied by an adequate increase in import-export business. Consequently, a certain slowdown might be expected for sawn deciduous and coniferous species, chipboard, and plywood.