UK timber import volumes fell again in May but year-on-year hardwood imports rose for the first time in 2011, according to the latest Timber Trade Federation statistics.
Imports were 43,000m³, or 5.7%, below those of May 2010, and 7% down for the first five months of the year.
Sweden (-5.9%) and Finland’s (-4.8%) declines were lower than the average of just over 10% in 2011 to date, resulting in a slight increase in their share of softwood imports. German and Irish volumes were down by more than 20%.
In May, for the first time in 2011, hardwood import volumes were higher than in the same month of 2010. Italy, France and Cameroon all increased their share.
As for softwood plywood, in the five months to May imports were up 21.3% and Finland shipped over 28% more to the UK.
In May, China assumed the place of second largest softwood plywood exporter, behind Brazil. Chile’s volumes also rose.
All the leading hardwood plywood exporters to the UK increased volumes, except Malaysia, whose shipments have fallen by more than a third.
In May chipboard imports were down by more than 20% on the year, and for the first five months the decline was 9%.
In the first five months OSB imports rose 15.5%, and exports were up by 24.4%. MDF volumes also increased – imports by 6.9% and exports by 24.9%.
