Sales in the German timber trade developed very well in the first quarter of 2022. On average, sales were up 25% sequentially from the previous quarter.
According to the results of the monthly survey of the German Wood Trade Association, the vast majority of participating companies said that the high growth in turnover in the first quarter of 2022 was largely due to the increase in prices. The actual number of transactions may be the same as or slightly higher than that of the same period last year.
Sales of all major products increased significantly in the first quarter, with panel materials leading the way with a 32% increase, followed by lumber with a 23% increase in sales, and flooring with an equally strong growth rate, followed closely by a 21% increase. back. In the comparison of distribution channels, the sales of wholesale trade increased more than the retail trade of timber.
About 80% of wholesalers among the companies surveyed expect lumber prices to remain the same or rise slightly over the next three months, and about 50% of respondents agree with future sales price declines.
Overall, most companies believe that the current demand continues to be stable and good, but some voices believe that there will be greater changes in the coming period of time.
The German Timber Trade Association expects that the German timber construction industry will remain stable, and timber sales and business conditions will maintain a good development trend. Of course, the precondition for all this stability is that the German and European economies remain at a stable level.