In 2025, exports of sawn timber (primary processing) will reach €440 million, double what they were fifteen years ago, according to Jean-François Guilbert (FrenchTimber). Softwood accounts for 930,000 m³ of exports, a figure that has been steadily increasing since 2011, when it stood at just 43,000 m³. "The idea is to sell abroad to reduce our dependence on the French market, given that international customers pay significantly more. Also in terms of exports, we can note 160,000 m³ of oak and 120,000 m³ of beech," he explains. In total, 1.2 million cubic meters are exported out of 8.5 million produced. Softwood represents approximately 15% of the total, reaching up to 35% for certain species. For oak and beech lumber, this can represent up to 100%. Hardwoods average around 50%. “These disparities are explained by the history of the markets. Hardwoods, linked to furniture manufacturing, have seen their processing move away from France for several decades. Conversely, softwoods were traditionally geared towards the French market, which remains a priority, although the current strategy aims to develop exports. As markets are global, opportunities can emerge, with prices rising sharply. Having around 15% of volumes exported helps secure the business. Internationalization must be part of a long-term vision to mitigate these risks. Sometimes, we earn less money, even if there are tools to limit the damage,” the expert concludes.