Supply chain and regulation challenges were outlined at the last meeting of the London Hardwood Club, attended by 26 members
Guy Goodwin of NHG Timber said African hardwood procurement was steeped in difficulties caused by instability, European environmental requirements and chronic delays.
Far Eastern supplies were said to be adversely affected by heavy rains and appeared likely to be increasingly diverted to Japan.
Roland Feit of Abalon spoke of the tightening supplies of medium and lower grades of beech available from Germany and Austria, with increasing volumes being diverted to China and a subsidised biofuel market.
Another trader pointed to the inevitability of price rises, particularly in the event of an upturn in demand.
He said financial stresses existed throughout the supply chain and challenges remained with the implementation of the forthcoming EU Timber Regulation.
On the good news front, UK hardwood traders had had a good start to the year, with supplies from Cameroon and Gabon relatively secure, and the UK had proved to be a valued outlet for higher grades of beech.
