In 2024, Poland recorded a significant increase in hardwood exports to China, which increased 2.5-fold compared to the previous year. This impressive commercial expansion is a testament to the growing demand for Polish timber on the Chinese market. The main distribution channel for this raw material is intermediaries from the European Union, which emphasizes the degree of Poland's integration into the European and international timber market.
In 2024, as much as 67,000 m³ of hardwood was exported from Poland, an increase of 41,420 m³ compared to 2023. The largest increase in exports was observed in the fourth quarter of 2024, when shipments to China increased by 895% compared to the third quarter. Such a sharp increase is the result of many factors, including the growing demand for raw materials in the rapidly developing Chinese economy and the marketing strategies successfully implemented by Polish exporters.
However, such a high level of exports has its dark side. The Polish timber industry is increasingly sounding the alarm about the negative consequences of uncontrolled timber exports. One of the main problems is the increase in timber prices on the domestic market, which hits local producers and companies in the furniture and construction industries particularly hard. Increased exports also limit the availability of wood in the country, which can lead to a slowdown in production in sectors dependent on this raw material.
Representatives of the timber industry emphasize the need for regulations that will balance foreign demand with domestic needs. Proposals include the development of strategies for sustainable forest management and the implementation of mechanisms to support local processing. The aim is to find a middle ground between profitable exports and the need to meet Poland's internal economic needs.
