European Union lumber exports to the Middle East and North Africa remained relatively stable in July despite disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

Provisional Eurostat figures show the EU shipped 750,400 cubic metres of lumber to the region in July, down just 0.8% year on year. However, shipping traffic through the strait has fallen sharply, averaging 18.2 vessels per day during the first 19 days of July, compared with 103.9 in July 2025. Austria's softwood shipments to the Levant and North Africa fell 24.2% between January and May, while European lumber exports to the UAE were already down 14% in January. Suppliers have responded by rerouting cargo through alternative ports and overland routes, increasing transport costs and delivery complexity.

Source:  interiordaily.com