Softwood imports decline 37.3% in first quarter

UK softwood imports were down 37.3% in volume terms during the first quarter of 2009, according to new Timber Trade Federation (TTF) statistics.

Softwood imports reached 975,000m³ for the period (2008: 1.55 million m³), with Sweden accounting for 59% of imports, followed by Finland (14.1%) and Latvia (8.6%). Sweden’s market share was up from 40.1% a year ago.

The TTF report, prepared by Nick Moore of Timber Trends, suggests the low point of the decline in softwood and hardwood imports was reached in December 2008.

Hardwood imports decreased by 35.9% during the quarter (compared to a year ago), with total volumes reaching 80,000m³ (2008: 125,000m³).

For more report statistics, see the next issue of TTJ.

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