Figures from the latest TTF Timber Statistics – Industry Facts & Figures, August 2019, show that the level of imports for January to May was 7%, or around 316,000m3 higher than the same period last year. However, volume for the month of May this year was 7.5%, or 73,000m3 lower than May 2018 – the same situation as in April.

Softwood imports rose by 11.2% in the January to May comparison periods, with cumulative volumes to May at 2,889,000m3. The growth has been achieved by increased volumes from Germany, Latvia, Russia and Ireland.

Swedish volume is similar to that of 2018 and, in fact, has resulted in a reduction of market share to 40%, down from 45% in the January-May 2018 period. This is the lowest market share of UK softwood imports held by Sweden since 2007.

The value of all softwood imports for the period was 8% up on the corresponding period of 2018. The value of sawn goods was up by about 7% and planed goods up by about 8%.

Hardwood imports were up even more – by 14.1%, with the cumulative volume to May 2019 at 227,000m3. Imports from the US slipped by 6%, resulting in a loss of market share from 20% to 17%. It remains out in front, however, with the closest rival, Estonia, on 13% market share.

The four leading European suppliers – Estonia, France, Latvia and Italy have all increased volumes. In fact Latvia’s shipments to the UK have increased by almost 50% in the year to date.

Plywood imports were down 2.2% in the January-May comparison periods, with cumulative volumes to May at 723,000m3, down from 740,000m3 last year.

Within that, hardwood plywood imports were up by 1.3%, with extra volumes from Finland (up 26%) and Russia (up 7%).

Volumes from the major Asian supplying countries fell in the five months to May, compared to the same period last year, with Indonesia and Malaysia experiencing the greatest drops (around 25% and 33% respectively).

China still has the lion’s share of the UK’s hardwood plywood import market at 54%.

Softwood plywood imports were down by 6.9%, with the cumulative volume to May at 297,000m3 (down from 319,000m3 in 2018).

Volumes from Brazil have fallen by almost 7% but the country still has 61% market share of the UK’s softwood plywood import market. China increased its volumes by 19%, while Finland increased its by 21%.

Chipboard imports were up 5.5% in the January-May comparison periods, with cumulative volumes to May at 381,000m3 (361,000m3 in 2018).

Germany, France and Portugal all increased their volumes while Belgium, Ireland, Italy, Spain and Poland all saw significant reductions.

Germany now has 31% market share of the UK’s chipboard imports, France 28%, Belgium 14%, Portugal 11% and Ireland 5%.

OSB imports rose by 10.7% in the January-May year-on-year comparison, with cumulative imports to May at 161,000m3 (2018: 145,000m3).

MDF imports were down by 7.4%, with cumulative imports to May at 303,000m3 (2018: 327,000m3).