The key topic when it comes to European imports from Asia remains freight rates. A 40ft container from Malaysia or Indonesia as late as last autumn cost US$1500 -$2000. By Q2 2021 importers were being quoted US$15,000- 20,000 and rates have stayed there.  This is attributed mainly to the general disruption to world trade caused by the pandemic, with a lack of return freight from western markets to South East Asia and empty containers stock piling in the wrong locations. In response, there has been a shift for some timber products, such as plywood ...