The gap between the cumulative annual volume of timber and panel imports into the UK during the first 10 months of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 has narrowed further, according to the latest figures from Timber Development UK (TDUK).
TDUK Timber Statistics Industry Facts & Figures, January 2024, shows the deficit at around 123,000m3, down from 184,000m3 at the time of the previous report. This represents a reduction of 1.5% over the first 10 months of 2022.
The statistics also reveal a 9.1% growth in October – the fifth consecutive month growth has taken place in the volume of the main timber, panels and engineered wood products imported by the UK.
Softwood import volumes were up 1.7% in the January-October year-on-year comparison, with cumulative volume at 4,991,000m3 (2022:4,909,000m3).
The countries most responsible for the increase are Sweden, which upped its volumes by 17% over the period, and Finland, which boosted its volumes to the UK by 8%. Volume increases outside of the leading countries of supply were made by Norway, Estonia, the Czech Republic and Austria – but volumes from Latvia, Germany and the Republic of Ireland all decreased over the period.
Sweden’s share of softwood supply to the UK jumped from 42% in January-October 2022 to 48% in the same period of 2023.
The value of softwood imports in January- October 2023 was 25% lower year-on-year.
Hardwood imports were down by 22.7%, with cumulative volume for January-October 2023 at 390,000m3 (2022: 504,000m3). Tropical hardwood imports were down 10.5% at 73,000m3 (2022: 82,000m3) and temperate hardwoods were down 12.9% at 225,000m3 (2022: 258,000m3).
UK imports of hardwood from the US in the first 10 months of 2023 were identical to those in the same period of 2022 and, as a result, the US’s share of the hardwood supply to the UK rose from 13% in January-October 2022 to 17% in the same period of 2023.
The overall reduction in volume is mainly down to lower volumes from the next four leading countries of supply, including Latvia, which has seen its year-on-year share of supply fall from 20% in 2022 to 11% in 2023.
The average prices of hardwood have risen and stayed high, unlike other timber and panel products, notes the TDUK.
Total plywood imports were down 11.9% in the 10-month comparison periods, with cumulative volume from January-October 2023 at 1,031,000m3 (2022: 1,171,000m3).
Within this, hardwood plywood imports were down 14.1%, with cumulative volume from January-October 2023 at 731,000m3 (2022: 851,000m3).
This large loss in volume is mainly due to large reductions from China, lower volumes from Malaysia, and the disappearance of volume from Russia.
Softwood plywood imports were down 6.2%, with cumulative volume from January- October at 300,000m3 (2022: 320,000m3).
Brazil continues to account for the lion’s share with a 66% slice of the action – up from 50% in the same 10-month period of 2022.
Chipboard imports were down 7.4% in January-October 2023 year-on-year, with cumulative volume at 514,000m3 (2022: 555,000m3).
The TDUK notes that France has “reasserted its leading position” in the supply of chipboard to the UK, by virtue of a 20% increase in volume from January-October.
OSB imports were up 24.1%, with cumulative volumes from January-October 2023 at 371,000m3 (2022: 299,000m3).
MDF imports were up 4.5%, with cumulative volumes for the 10-month period at 653,000m3 (2022: 624,000m3).
