The TTF said November 2013 had seen a 23% uplift in imports for the main timber and panel products – compared to the same month in 2012. This follows 32% and 36% increases for September and October respectively.
January-November solid wood imports were 4.6% higher than a year ago, while panel product imports were 10.8% higher.
Softwood imports reached 4.74 million m3 for January-November, a 5.4% growth compared to 2012, with the value of all softwood imports 8.4% higher. Sawn softwood values were up 10% and planed goods rose by 5.7%.
Hardwood import volumes for 2013 were down 5% by the end of November, standing at 384,000m3.
Total plywood imports were up 5.7% for the 11 months, with hardwood plywood volumes flat year-on-year and softwood plywood volumes up 18.7%.
Substantially better hardwood plywood volumes from Malaysia in November pushed the country into positive territory (in terms of its UK export volumes) for the year to date. Volume from China and Uruguay continued to fall.
Meanwhile, softwood plywood import volumes from China were 57% higher for the year by the end of November.
