International trade of timber, pulp and paper in 1982

The market for forest and forest industries products in 1982 in Europe and North America bas passed through its most difficult period in the last several decades. The demand for sawn timber and wood based boards began to weaken since 1979 in North America, a bit later in Europe. The demand for pulp and paper has began to decline from 1982 ever since. In order to control their rates of inflation, governments of many countries have undertaken certain measures to lower consumption, as well as to improve their respective balance of payments position. It resulted in decline in construction activities, particularly in housing construction. Unemployment has risen, and real disposable income has fallen. Logical consequence was the decline in consumption of timber products and respective decline of the international transaction deals. General fall of the favourable outlook in 1982 caused the decline in demand and consumption of pulp and paper. Expected rise in the GNP in the USA, Japan, and several European industrialized countries will induce certain improvements of consumption and international trade in 1983.