Sales of the German wood industry rose 7.3% over the 1st half of this year in comparison with the 1st semester of 2005. Total sales in the first semester were of 8.2 billion euro. The largest contributor to this increase is the sawmilling industry which increased its sales by 12.3% to 2.4 billion euro thanks to strong demand in the German construction industry and strong exports. Sales of the packaging industry increased 9.2% to 480 million euro. Since the 1st quarter of 2005 prices for packaging wood have increased 21%. The renewed growth in German housing starts also pulled the transformation industry and in particular window builders. The German pre-constructed houses industry expects on its side a growth of 7.8% for the whole of 2006. Engineered panel producers increased their sales 3.8% to 2.5 billion euro. (Source: IHB)