Timber trade through the Port of King’s Lynn is projected to fall 20% this year, but increases are expected in 2010.
Graham Tetley, Associated British Ports’ East Anglia assistant port manager, told TTJ that the fall follows a 16.5% decrease in timber trade in 2008, due to the decline in housebuilding activity.
The drop in timber throughput contrasts against a 33% increase in total trade at King’s Lynn, though the figures were skewed by a 50% increase in grain exports.
Mr Tetley said constant import levels for Travis Perkins had helped to soften the blow of declining timber trade. Nelss shipments ceased in January but its successor AKZ Timber Ltd has now resumed trade at the port.
ABP was originally predicting a 25% dip in timber throughput during 2009 but has reduced this to 20%, while a 7% increase is foreseen in 2010. A total of 70,000 tonnes of timber is expected to be imported this year, increasing to 75,000 tonnes in 2010.
All the trade relates to softwood, mainly joinery timber, carcassing and decking.
