Norway has significantly strengthened its position in the German sawlog market, emerging as Germany`s principal supplier of softwood logs as trade flows across the European wood industry continue to shift in 2026.

The development reflects growing German demand for imported sawlogs, roundwood and softwood timber, combined with changing availability in Central and Northern European forest markets.

According to recent market data, Germany imported approximately 932,000 m³ of softwood logs during the second quarter of 2026. Norway increased its share of German imports by around 17 percentage points, while Poland`s share declined markedly over the same period.

The change highlights a significant redistribution of European timber and wood raw-material trade flows.

Norwegian sawlog exports gain momentum

Norway has considerably increased its exports of coniferous roundwood in 2026.

Official Norwegian statistics show that exports of coniferous sawlogs reached approximately 952,000 m³ in the second quarter of 2026, compared with around 736,000 m³ in the same quarter of 2025.

This represents an increase of almost 30% year-on-year.

In addition, Norway exported more than 713,000 m³ of coniferous pulpwood during Q2 2026, illustrating the growing importance of international markets for Norwegian roundwood producers.

For Germany, Norway offers a geographically accessible source of spruce and pine logs that can supplement domestic timber supply and other traditional sources from Central Europe.

Why Germany is importing more Nordic timber

Germany remains one of Europe`s largest wood processing and sawmilling markets.

German sawmills require substantial quantities of spruce and pine logs for the production of construction timber, sawnwood, packaging material and other wood products.

Several structural factors are encouraging German buyers to diversify their sources of raw wood:

• reduced availability of salvage timber compared with previous years
• tighter softwood log supply in parts of Central Europe
• relatively high wood raw-material prices
• competition between sawmills, pulp mills and panel producers
• changing export volumes from Poland and neighbouring markets
• increased availability of Norwegian roundwood

Earlier in 2026, German wood processors were already looking increasingly toward Norway, Sweden, Ireland and the Baltic states to supplement industrial softwood supplies.

Impact on the European wood market

Norway`s stronger position in Germany illustrates how quickly the European wood and timber market can respond to regional supply imbalances.

Changes in the origin of sawlog imports have implications throughout the wood value chain.

For sawmills, increased access to Norwegian logs may improve raw-material availability, but transport costs remain an important component of delivered wood prices.

For forest owners and timber suppliers in Central Europe, greater competition from Nordic roundwood can also influence regional sawlog prices and timber procurement strategies.

At the same time, stronger Norwegian exports may affect domestic wood availability in Scandinavia, particularly as Nordic sawmills and pulp producers compete for the same forest resources.

Wood prices remain an important factor

The shift in Germany`s sourcing strategy comes at a time when softwood log prices remain elevated in several European markets.

The relationship between sawlog prices and achievable sawn timber prices continues to be a major challenge for European sawmills.

High raw-material costs combined with cautious demand for processed lumber can compress margins, encouraging mills to look for alternative sourcing regions and more competitive delivered log prices.

This dynamic makes monitoring wood prices, sawlog imports, timber exports and regional supply increasingly important for purchasing managers, sawmills and timber traders.

Germany remains central to European timber trade

Germany has a major influence on the European wood market due to the scale of its sawmilling, construction timber, panels, furniture and downstream wood-processing industries.

Changes in German procurement therefore tend to affect neighbouring timber markets.

An increase in Norwegian sawlog deliveries could influence trade flows across Sweden, Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria and the Baltic region as suppliers and buyers respond to changing prices and availability.

For wood industry professionals, the development reinforces the importance of monitoring not only domestic timber production but also international wood imports and exports.

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Sources

Statistics Norway (SSB) - Commercial roundwood removals and quarterly roundwood trade
Official Norwegian statistics showing that exports of coniferous sawlogs increased from approximately 735,550 m³ in Q2 2025 to 952,214 m³ in Q2 2026, together with higher coniferous pulpwood exports.
https://www.ssb.no/en/jord-skog-jakt-og-fiskeri/skogbruk/statistikk/skogavvirkning-for-salg

Lesprom Analytics - European softwood log trade, Q2 2026
Market analysis showing that Germany imported approximately 932,000 m³ of softwood logs during Q2 2026 and that Norway increased its share of German imports by around 17 percentage points.
https://www.lesprom.com/en/news/Norway_gains_share_in_Swedens_softwood_log_imports_in_Q2_2026_124338/

Timber-Online - Industrial softwood log imports into Germany and Benelux
Industry analysis covering German demand for imported industrial softwood logs from Norway, Sweden, Ireland and the Baltic states and the importance of transport costs in sourcing decisions.
https://www.timber-online.net/log_wood/2026/03/bunker-prices-slow-down-log-imports.html

WoodBusinessPortal.com - Log Prices Remain High Across Parts of Europe
Market analysis examining elevated European softwood log prices, cautious sawn timber demand and pressure on sawmill margins.
https://woodbusinessportal.com/newsdetail-en-2604