The German timber trade looks back on a challenging 2025 financial year, marked by subdued demand in most product ranges on the one hand and significant cost increases on the other. After an unexpectedly strong final spurt in December with double-digit growth, sales for the year as a whole rose by 3%. However, this is less a sign of a good market situation for the industry than a consolidation at a low level, with the German Timber Trade Association (GD Holz) dampening premature expectations of a sustained upturn. In 2024, revenues had fallen by 5%, and in 2023, the first year of the post-corona effects, by as much as 15%.

The most important product ranges performed in line with the industry average. Planed goods stood out positively with +7% and sawn timber with +5%. In general, the continuing decline in the number of construction completions, consumer restraint, general uncertainty, and a lack of willingness to invest created a difficult business environment in 2025. Against this backdrop, the companies participating in the GD Holz business comparison survey are predominantly expecting further stabilization rather than a real upturn in the current year 2026. Specifically, around two-thirds of those surveyed anticipate sales to remain stable or rise slightly, with timber wholesalers being more optimistic than timber retailers.

Source: GD Holz