UK softwood and hardwood import volumes were 9% higher in the first two months of 2010 compared to a year ago, according to The Timber Trade Federation’s latest statistics.
February was also the third consecutive month where volumes were higher than in the corresponding month a year earlier.
A total of 620,000m³ of softwood was imported during January and February (2009: 616,000m³), an increase of 0.6% on a year ago.
Volume and market share gains were made by all leading supplier countries, except Sweden. The 10% drop in market share was replaced with volume from Finland, Latvia, Ireland, Germany and Russia.
On the hardwood side, imports were up 24% on a year ago at 73,000m³ (2009: 58,000m³).
All leading hardwood supplying nations increased their volumes to the UK in the first two months, with greater volume increases from France, Latvia, Italy and Estonia resulting in market share gains.
The import volume of panel products was 9% higher.
Plywood imports rose 13% to 201,000m³ (2009: 177,000m³), with hardwood ply up 10.7% to 127,000m³.
Finnish hardwood ply imports increased significantly, with big volumes also being shipped through Belgium. A large jump in Chinese volumes has coincided with volume reductions from Brazil, Russia and Malaysia.
Chipboard imports were down 5.4% to 67,000m³ (2009: 71,000m³), with lower volumes from all leading suppliers.
OSB imports were up 42% to 37,000m³, while MDF imports rose 6.3% to 91,000m³.
To see the TTF’s full report visit click here
