The TTF said that the 20,000m3, a 0.3% drop over September 2011, marked the first time in 2012 that the year-to-year monthly import total was lower.
Solid imports for the month were actually 4% ahead, but this was offset by a 9% drop in panel products. This also took the third quarter total down 5.4% compared to the same quarter last year.
Softwood imports in the first three quarters rose 4.3% to 3.7 million m3, with Ireland, Germany and Sweden all seeing sales volumes pick up. The latter increased market share to nearly 50%, and Ireland by 16% to 7%. Germany, Latvia and Finland all saw a decline in their share.
Softwood exports in the first nine months were down 15.1% to 89,000m3.
Hardwood imports over the same period were ahead 3.5% at 331,000m3, with volume increases from the US, Cameroon and Malaysia.
All plywood imports were 3.7% lower at 1 million m3. Hardwood plywood was ahead 0.6%, China seeing volume sales rise 16% to give it 56% of the 697,000m3 market, but overall softwood plywood imports fell 12.2% to 303,000m3.
Chipboard imports fell 14.2% to 311,000m3, OSB 21.3% to 130,000 and MDF 11.5% to 427,000m3
