UK timber import volumes look like registering a 7-9% fall for 2011, with only December figures yet to be confirmed, according to The Timber Trade Federation’s (TTF) latest statistics bulletin.
The January-November statistics for the main timber and panel products show an 8.9% reverse (compared to the same period in 2010), with solid wood imports 14.7% lower and panel products up by 4.4%.
The most recent month’s figures released – November – show a decline of 9.8%.
Softwood imports registered a 15% decline for the 11 months, while hardwood volumes fell by 12%. Only OSB imports fell among the main panel products.
Softwood imports from Sweden and Finland reduced by 9% and 6% respectively. Germany and Ireland fared the worst – their exports to the UK fell by 37% and 30% respectively.
Cameroon, France and Italy all grew their hardwood volumes to the UK, while Asian hardwood imports continued to grow.
China had secured 50% of the UK hardwood plywood market by November, while Uruguay, Finland and Russia also achieved strong growth.
Malaysia’s and Brazil’s hardwood plywood volumes fell by 33,000m³ and 27,000m³ respectively.
