German Timber Trade Shown Turnover Growth Across All Ranges and Sales Channels Iof 3.3%

The German timber trade has shown turnover growth across all ranges and sales channels iof 3.3% in the first six months of 2012. According to GD Holz timber wholesale, with an increase in revenues of 4.5%, showed particular improvement, while turnover in the retail wood trade showed below-average growth of 1%. GD Holz estimates that the improvement in the wholesale sector was due to the continuing positive trend in the building sector, especially associated with refurbishment and renovation. In contrast, the trend in the retail wood trade was significantly less marked. With the exception of demand for wood-flooring ranges, demand from customers for various wood ranges has been very restrained in the first six months of 2012 among many specialist wood dealers. Starting with an overall satisfactory turnover trend, GD Holz is forecasting a steady trend for the whole of 2012 at least at the high level seen in 2011. Source: euwid-wood-products