China’s softwood lumber imports shift to Russia and Europe; N. American suppliers losing ground

China's softwood lumber imports have undergone a significant shift, with a preference for suppliers from Russia and Europe. This change in demand has led to North American suppliers losing ground in the Chinese market. Compared with the same period in 2022, China's softwood lumber imports increased by 9% in the first quarter. The increase reversed a sharp decline that had continued in recent years and lent support to some analysts' forecasts that overall demand in China would strengthen this year as the country's sluggish real estate sector recovers. China's imports rose to 4.42 ...