Thefts of timber fencing in parts of the country are so commonplace police have, allegedly, given the offence the nickname “fence rustling”. Some thieves are even swiping fence panels from one garden, selling them on, then, days later, stealing them from the new “owner” to sell again.
The trigger for this crime is the fencing shortage which TTJ has been covering recently. Supply difficulties were partly triggered by the storms that hit Europe in January, producing a surge in orders. But underlying this is a tightening of timber supply generally and that, of course, has a wider fallout. This week, for example, furniture makers contacted TTJ over hardboard and plywood shortages. The dearth of birch plywood is also causing problems for packing case producers. Manufacturers want to know the cause of the current situation and if and when it’s going to improve.
Another reason for the shortages cited by key supplier countries has been disruption to harvesting caused by wet weather. This blockage, like the earlier post-storm problems in Europe, should, of course, work its way out of the system. But a factor that looks more of a permanent fixture is rising global timber demand.
Consumption in the west is rising steadily. In the emerging industrial superpowers, China and India, it’s soaring. Their buyers pay top dollar and have the added allure for suppliers of placing huge orders. So, while traders here scratch around for supplies, Chinese ports are holding timber-laden ships offshore because they’re full to capacity.
It does look as though the market is seeing a supply/demand adjustment and in the long term will be more competitive. But, although it may be difficult to accept while other short-term supply factors muddy the water, this may not be altogether a bad thing. Many in the trade harbour an ambition, while avoiding the risk of pricing it off the market, of making timber a more valued material and shedding its commodity status. Maybe conditions are emerging which will help them achieve this aim.
