Austria's timber industry recorded total sales of goods worth €11.45 billion (+13%) in 2022. 

"There is also a surplus of almost 1.8 billion euros in foreign trade - 11 percent more than in 2021," informed Mag. Herbert Jöbstl, Chairman of the Association of the Austrian Wood Industry. Since mid-2022, however, there has been a significant drop in demand, especially from the construction industry. "There is no spring revival this year, neither from the domestic construction industry nor from the overseas markets," said Dr. Erlfried Taurer, Deputy Chairman of the Association of the Austrian Wood Industry. In view of the weak order situation, the companies will have to continue to reduce production capacities.

In view of the declining construction activities, the timber industry is in favor of anti-cyclical investment incentives. The annual renovation rate has been stagnating at 1.5% for some time. "We therefore advocate a turbocharged renovation with the necessary instruments such as subsidies, easy-to-implement living space concepts, such as modular construction, understandable advice for owners and the removal of legal hurdles," emphasizes Dr. Andreas Ludwig, Deputy Chairman of the Association of the Austrian Wood Industry.

Waste wood is subject to the Waste Management Act and has therefore had to be transported by train since January 2023. “The train is undoubtedly an ecological mode of transport, but unfortunately it is not competitive compared to trucks. The obligation to transport by rail doubles our transport costs in some cases and leads to new bureaucratic hurdles,” criticizes Erlfried Tauer. This weakens the competitiveness of the circular economy. "The use of waste wood is becoming less attractive and companies are increasingly using fresh wood."