UK imports of planed whitewood were 60% higher in the first nine months of 2010 compared to a year ago, according to the latest statistics update from The Timber Trade Federation (TTF).
The statistics also show that imports of all the main timber and panel products were 630,000m³ higher during the period at 6.4 million m³.
Germany’s share of the UK softwood imports market in the month of September was up to 12% (2009: 7%), while Sweden’s fell to 39% (2009: 51%). Finland, Russia and the Irish Republic all registered increases, but overall softwood import volumes were down 4.4% on a year ago.
For the year to date, Sweden remains the biggest shipper of softwood to the UK, with a 43% market share, followed by Latvia (14%), Finland (12%), Germany (9%), the Irish Republic (7%) and Russia (6%).
The rise of Italian imports remains the standout feature in the hardwood sector – oak shipments from the country have more than doubled this year. Italy had an 8% share of the UK hardwood market in the first nine months (2009: 5%), second to the US at 23% (2009: 26%), but ahead of nearest rival France (7%).
Hardwood volumes were up 30.4% for the year to September at 367,000m³.
Import volumes for all plywood products were up 18.2% to 1 million m², with hardwood products growing by 29.4% to 680,000m³ – China contributing 109,000m³ to this growth.
For the month of September, China’s market share grew to 51% (2009: 43%), followed by Malaysia at 16% (2009: 14%) and Finland (8%).
Softwood plywood imports saw negligible growth (0.3%) for the nine-month period, with volumes totaling 327,000m³. Brazil remains the biggest shipper with a 45% market share but Finnish products are becoming more prevalent, exceeding Brazilian imports during the month of September to give it a 24% market share for the nine months.
For further information on the TTF statistics visit www.ttf.co.uk
