The timber exports They collapsed during the month of August, with pine shipments in sharp decline and Uruguayan eucalyptus losing ground in the Asian market, although it was a record within the free zones.
According to the records of the National Customs Directorate, Uruguay exported 34,500 cubic meters of round pine in August, meaning an amount 44% less than what was placed in July of this year.
In turn, this represents a volume 32% lower than that exported in August 2022, and a cumulative decline of 42% year-on-year, when the comparison is with the January-August period of last year.
The turnover in dollars for the conifer was on par with the great drop in packages, since it plummeted by 50% compared to July of this year, and 36% compared to August 2022.
Eucalyptus lost ground in the Asian market
On the other hand, eucalyptus lost ground in the Asian market, mainly in China, Malaysia and Vietnamwhere the volume of logs placed fell by 20%.
China and Vietnam reduced the purchase of domestic logs by almost 30% due, mainly, to a drop in local operations and greater availability of raw materials on that continent.
These Asian countries are the main destinations for eucalyptus Uruguaybehind the free trade zonewhere they are sent for the production of cellulose.
Eucalyptus exports to free zones set a historical record
If we add what is sent to free zones, during the first 8 months of the year, the volume placed of eucalyptus logs continues to grow, and did so by around 97%.
Considering this aggregate, during the month of August 1.75 million cubic meters were exported, a historical record for Uruguay.
The dependence on shipments to free zones for this product is so great that only 11,000 cubic meters did not find a destination there.
Source: Ambito
