Imports of softwood and hardwood were 10.4% higher in the first half of 2010 than in 2009, according to the latest Timber Trade Federation statistics.
The statistics, compiled by Timbertrends, show that panel product imports were 8.9% higher and all imports were up by 9.9%.
All import volume growth was 2.5% higher in June, compared to a year earlier. This is the lowest month-on-month increase since growth returned to the market in December 2009.
Imports in the first half were 4.05 million m³ compared to 3.68 million m³ a year ago.
“In the first half of 2010, recovery from recession has been evident, however as indicated by the trends above, the rate of that recovery appears to be slowing,” said the report.
Softwood imports in the first six months were 8.3% higher or by 195,000m³.
Significant increases have been made by Latvia, Germany, Ireland and Russia, with these countries now making up nearly 400,000m³ more in 2010 to date than over 2009.
Swedish volumes have reduced by 265,000m³ in the first six months.
Hardwood imports are up 37.9% for the half-year, with a 24% growth in volumes from the US. Despite a slight slippage in the US market share, the US still exports more than three times the quantity of the next largest exporting country to the UK.
In hardwood plywood, China has consolidated its position at the head of the market, accounting for one out of every 3m3 imported in the first six months – a 34% market share, with Malaysia second at 22%.
