The UK timber import market enjoyed a stronger month in April 2024, with volumes 4.7% higher than those in April 2023, according to the latest TDUK statistics.
The better April has reduced the deficit gap between 2024 and 2023 to 109,000m3, down from 150,000m3 at the end of Q1.
This latest improvement has moved all product groups into single-digit reductions, with the exception of plywood imports that are 2% higher in 2024 to date.
In softwood imports, for example, the value of imports in the first four months of 2024 was 7% lower than during the same period in 2023, caused by a 4% reduction in volume and a 3% fall in the average price of a basket of softwood imports.
Within plywood, softwood plywood imports experienced probably the greatest change in sources of supply for many years.
Volume in the month was around 5,000m3 higher than in April 2023, with Brazil leading the increases by supplying nearly 3,500m3 more in the month. China and Chile also supplied more, as did Uruguay and Canada, though there was a substantial fall in volume from Finland.
Overall, for the quarter, the value of all plywood imports was still 10% below the level in the first four months of 2023. Softwood plywood values were 18% lower and hardwood plywood values remained 7% down.
Meanwhile, housing starts in England in Q1 2024 were 39% below Q1 2023, following on from a 50% reduction in Q4 2023 over Q4 2022; a fall that will naturally impact the demand for timber.
Comparing tropical hardwood imports for the first four months of each of the last three years reveals strong growth from the Congo Republic. A near doubling of share to account for 26% of tropical hardwoods resulted from an 18% growth in 2024 to date, driven mainly largely by a 40% increase in sawn Sapeli.
Romanian Oak has been gaining favour among UK hardwood importers for a number of years, but in 2024 significantly higher quantities of sawn beech have propelled Romania’s share of temperate hardwoods into double figures, with more than 4,500m3 imported in 2024 to date, enabling Romania to account for 40% of the UK’s beech imports.
Spain has increased its supply of particleboard to the UK by 110% in the first four months of 2024.
“Although overall import volumes remain below those in 2023, it’s encouraging to see the deficit continuing to fall, with all changes in volume imports now down to single figures,” said TDUK head of technical and trade Nick Boulton.
Mr Boulton said the UK’s poor overall economic performance during Q1 of 2024, and further falls in housebuilding starts had an impact on the industry.
“However, now the General Election is over, and we have a new Government, the timber industry must unite and continue to call for the much-needed investment the construction industry needs in order to return to growth.”
