May was the best month for timber imports in 2023, with volume growth seen across all major product categories, says TDUK. May import volumes of softwood, hardwood, plywood, particleboard, and engineered wood products were higher than in any of the preceding months of 2023. Softwood imports have proved particularly buoyant,
The latest Timber Development UK (TDUK) statistics show record hardwood volumes were imported in May 2022. Overall import volumes for hardwood were up 25% in the period running from January to May 2022, relative to the same period in 2021. This increase in hardwood volumes has largely been driven by
May was the best month for timber imports in 2023, with volume growth seen across all major product categories, says TDUK. May import volumes of softwood, hardwood, plywood, particleboard, and engineered wood products were higher than in any of the preceding months of 2023. Softwood imports have proved particularly buoyant, with volumes in May 8% higher than the 2023 average. Overall volumes, however, remain below 2022 levels. Total import volume in the first five months of 2023 was 378,000m3 lower, or 8% less than over the same period in 2022. In the long term, monthly variations appear to be stabilising following three years of dramatic fluctuation. TDUK Head of Technical and Trade, Nick Boulton, said: “The overall economic picture for the UK is gloomy, with sticky inflation and high interest rates reducing confidence in the construction sector. “This is seen in the latest CPA forecast, with crucial timber demand driving sectors like private housing and RMI predicted to decline by 19% and 11% respectively, likely returning to growth in 2024. “However, in 2023, timber import patterns seem to be bucking these downward trends, with volumes witnessing growth in four of the five months so far this year. May even saw growth across all the major import categories something we certainly would not have predicted at the beginning of the year. “It also appears the dramatic peaks and troughs of 2020-2022 have subsided. Monthly variations now seem steadier and more similar to the pre-covid years. “Though the overall economic outlook is undeniably negative, these latest figures suggest there is room for some cautious positivity heading into Q3.” Members can read the full statistics report here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The latest Timber Development UK (TDUK) statistics show record hardwood volumes were imported in May 2022. Overall import volumes for hardwood were up 25% in the period running from January to May 2022, relative to the same period in 2021. This increase in hardwood volumes has largely been driven by Latvia and France, with their totals growing 110% and 82% respectively. Tropical hardwoods have also seen growth, up 44%, with Cameroonian volumes leading in this category, increasing by 4,081m3 in 2022. Overall timber volumes were also high in May 2022, as volumes climbed over the million m3 mark for the first time since September 2021. This growth in the month was driven by higher volumes of softwood, hardwood, plywood and particleboard compared to May 2021, only OSB and MDF volumes were lower. Softwood imports remain 18% below the record levels seen in 2021. TDUK Head of Technical and Trade, Nick Boulton, said: “Though May 2022 totals resembled the record levels seen last year, the overall market position in 2022 is certainly more diverse than 2021. “Hardwood imports have been driven by the pallet and packaging trade which has begun to use lower-priced, more temperate hardwood species over typically used softwood. “The global logistics market is buoyant with demand outstripping the capacity to recirculate and where necessary repair existing pallet stocks. This means the demand for new wood pallets, bearers and dunnage are all at high levels, putting significant pressure on the available log supply and specialist mills that service this sector. “New sectors are also causing pressure on supply with wood fuel, for example, becoming a key driver of demand across Europe due to the energy insecurity caused by the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Members can read the full statistics report here.
