EU and UK plywood imports from outside the region totalled 1.96 million m\u00b3 in the first half of 2026, down 9% from the same period last year, while the value of imports fell 8% to US$909 million.<\/p>\n
The latest figures point to a market that is beginning to stabilise after several years of adjustment. On a rolling 12-month basis, EU+UK plywood imports stood at 3.68 million m\u00b3 in June 2026, well below the peak of just over 5 million m\u00b3 reached in the 12 months to June 2022.<\/p>\n
Most of the decline this year occurred early in the year. First-quarter import volumes were 14% lower year-on-year, while the second-quarter decline narrowed to 4%. By June, monthly imports were slightly above the level recorded in June 2025.<\/p>\n
The composition of supply has also changed considerably. Russian plywood has effectively disappeared from EU+UK import flows since 2022, while China has lost a significant share of the hardwood plywood market. Suppliers elsewhere in Asia, Africa and eastern Europe have gained ground.<\/p>\n
Anti-dumping measures have become one of the main forces behind these changes. EU duties on Chinese hardwood plywood are encouraging importers to look for alternative sources, while measures affecting Brazilian softwood plywood have put additional pressure on shipments from South America.<\/p>\n
The situation in the UK differs because the country has not introduced the same anti-dumping measures, meaning changes in EU and UK trade flows are increasingly being driven by different regulatory conditions.<\/p>\n
Tropical hardwood plywood imports jump<\/strong><\/p>\n Imports of plywood faced with tropical hardwood increased particularly strongly during the first six months of 2026.<\/p>\n EU+UK imports in this category reached 318,600 m\u00b3, up 46% from a year earlier. Imports supplied directly from tropical countries rose even faster, increasing 66% to 298,700 m\u00b3.<\/p>\n Viet Nam accounted for much of the increase. Shipments classified as tropical hardwood plywood rose from just 14,200 m\u00b3 in the first half of 2025 to 97,500 m\u00b3 in the same period this year.<\/p>\n Indonesia also expanded its position, with shipments rising 16% to 65,200 m\u00b3. Imports from Gabon increased 49% to 42,900 m\u00b3, while Malaysian volumes remained broadly stable at 40,800 m\u00b3.<\/p>\n China moved sharply in the opposite direction. EU+UK imports of Chinese tropical hardwood plywood fell 60% to only 10,900 m\u00b3.<\/p>\n The figures indicate that European buyers are replacing part of their previous Chinese hardwood plywood purchases with material from other producing countries. However, substitution is not necessarily straightforward because plywood specifications vary substantially depending on veneer species, panel construction, technical performance and price.<\/p>\n Indonesian suppliers have reported stronger European interest in products including film-faced plywood and combi panels. Their ability to raise output, however, has been constrained by the availability of logs and higher production costs.<\/p>\n The rapid rise in Vietnamese deliveries also needs to be interpreted carefully. Trade statistics separate plywood from Viet Nam reported with tropical hardwood face veneers from other Vietnamese hardwood plywood products, but the country's manufacturing sector processes a mix of domestic and imported timber.<\/p>\n Viet Nam imports significant volumes of raw material, including temperate hardwoods, meaning available customs data cannot establish precisely how much of the plywood exported to Europe is based on tropical or non-tropical species.<\/p>\n Viet Nam gains ground in temperate hardwood plywood<\/strong><\/p>\n The wider temperate hardwood plywood market weakened during the first half of the year.<\/p>\n EU+UK imports from suppliers outside the region declined 11% to 763,000 m\u00b3.<\/p>\n China remained the largest individual supplier but lost substantial volume. Imports from China fell 36% to 405,400 m\u00b3. The fall was particularly pronounced during the first quarter, when shipments were 44% below the previous year.<\/p>\n The pace of decline moderated in the second quarter, but Chinese shipments were still 24% lower year-on-year.<\/p>\n Viet Nam recorded by far the largest increase among alternative suppliers. EU+UK imports of temperate hardwood plywood from the country jumped from 14,500 m\u00b3 to 131,400 m\u00b3.<\/p>\n When this is combined with Vietnamese panels reported in the tropical hardwood plywood category, total EU+UK plywood imports from Viet Nam approached 229,000 m\u00b3 in the first six months of 2026. That compares with less than 29,000 m\u00b3 in the same period a year earlier.<\/p>\n The scale of the increase points to a rapid reorientation of Vietnamese plywood exports towards Europe.<\/p>\n Trade measures in the US affecting Vietnamese hardwood and decorative plywood have encouraged producers to develop alternative markets, while European anti-dumping duties on Chinese hardwood plywood have simultaneously created opportunities for new suppliers.<\/p>\n Other origins also recorded gains. EU+UK imports of non-tropical hardwood plywood from Brazil rose to 18,900 m\u00b3, nearly four times the level recorded during the first half of 2025. Imports from Kazakhstan almost doubled to 29,500 m\u00b3. Ukraine remained an important supplier but shipments fell 8% to 105,000 m\u00b3.<\/p>\n Brazilian softwood plywood loses market share<\/strong><\/p>\n Softwood plywood imports showed a very different pattern. Total EU+UK imports from countries outside the region fell 19% to 881,100 m\u00b3 during the first half of 2026.<\/p>\n Brazil remained the largest supplier by a wide margin, but shipments dropped 25% to 583,900 m\u00b3. The decline accelerated during the year. Brazilian volumes were down 21% in the first quarter and 29% in the second quarter. The European Union introduced a definitive anti-dumping duty of 5.4% on most Brazilian softwood plywood imports in April, following provisional measures that had been in place since November 2025. The measure has added another cost to Brazilian plywood entering the EU at a time when producers are already dealing with freight, raw material and manufacturing pressures.<\/p>\n Chinese softwood plywood, by contrast, continued to gain volume during the first half.<\/p>\n EU+UK imports from China increased 7% to 185,400 m\u00b3 following exceptionally strong expansion during 2025.<\/p>\n However, growth has clearly slowed. Second-quarter shipments were 2% below the same period last year, indicating that the rapid substitution seen previously is losing momentum.<\/p>\n Chinese plywood classifications are also attracting closer scrutiny from European trade authorities.<\/p>\n In July, the European Commission opened an investigation into whether certain Chinese panels using thin coniferous or bamboo outer veneers over hardwood cores may be circumventing existing anti-dumping measures on Chinese hardwood plywood.<\/p>\n The investigation could have wider consequences for Chinese softwood plywood exports if additional product categories are eventually brought within the scope of trade measures.<\/p>\n European hardwood plywood producers see firmer demand<\/strong><\/p>\n There are also signs that European hardwood plywood manufacturers are benefiting from tighter controls on imported material.<\/p>\n Finland produced approximately 0.4 million m\u00b3 of plywood during the first half of 2026, representing an increase of 5.2% compared with the same period last year.<\/p>\n Machinery supplier Raute has reported an improvement in European hardwood plywood demand, while exports from Nordic and Baltic producers have moved close to some of their strongest levels in recent years.<\/p>\n Finnish producer Koskisen has also described demand for birch plywood as good. The company reported slightly higher selling prices during the second quarter.<\/p>\n Conditions in softwood plywood are considerably weaker. European softwood plywood demand remains subdued, according to industry participants, while production capacity has already been reduced.<\/p>\n Mets\u00e4 Group ended production at its Suolahti softwood plywood mill at the end of May, adding to the pressure on the region's softwood plywood industry.<\/p>\n European producers also continue to face rising costs for logs, freight, energy and manufacturing. The first-half trade figures therefore show a plywood market being reshaped less by a recovery in total demand than by changes in sourcing.<\/p>\n Chinese hardwood plywood has lost a substantial part of its previous position, Viet Nam has emerged rapidly as an alternative supplier, tropical producers are capturing more European business, and Brazilian softwood plywood is facing new pressure following the introduction of EU duties.<\/p>\n Total imports remain below last year's level, but the much smaller decline in the second quarter and the slight year-on-year increase recorded in June indicate that the steep contraction seen at the start of 2026 has begun to ease.<\/p>\n Policy measures set to further impact on supply <\/strong><\/p>\n Overall, the first-half data suggest that the sharp contraction in EU+UK plywood imports was easing by mid-year. There is clearer evidence of significant shifts in sourcing than of any change in underlying demand. EU anti-dumping duties have substantially altered the commercial position of Chinese hardwood and Brazilian softwood plywood in this market. Viet Nam and direct tropical suppliers have gained share, and there are early indications of improved conditions for some European hardwood plywood mills.<\/p>\n Construction weakness, production costs, the availability of suitable alternative panels and other emerging policy issues will determine whether those gains develop into a broader sustained recovery for European and tropical plywood manufacturers in the market. Of other policy issues, the potential impact of the EU Deforestation Regulation once enforcement begins on 30 December 2026 is uncertain and may be far reaching.<\/p>\n Some key exporters to the EU see it offering potential advantages for their well-established timber-tracking systems; others report that compliance costs, together with weak European demand, are encouraging producers to develop alternative destinations.<\/p>\n There is also a new EU restriction on formaldehyde emissions from wood-based articles which took effect on 6 August 2026. The limit of 0.062 mg\/cu.m under specified test conditions applies to plywood placed on the EU market, subject to exemptions including certain construction products used exclusively outside the building shell and vapour barrier. The requirement may favour suppliers able to document low-emission panels.<\/p>\n EU and UK plywood imports from outside the region totalled 1.96 million m\u00b3 in the first half of 2026, down 9% from the same period last year, while the value of imports fell 8% to US$909 million.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":100155,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"Default","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5204],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-100154","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-daily-news"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nEU+UK plywood imports from outside the region<\/h3>\n
\n\n
\n \nCategorie<\/th>\n Jan\u2013Jun 2026<\/th>\n Jan\u2013Jun 2025<\/th>\n Change y\/y<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n Total plywood<\/td>\n 1.96 million m\u00b3<\/td>\n 2.15 million m\u00b3<\/td>\n -9%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Tropical hardwood plywood<\/td>\n 318,600 m\u00b3<\/td>\n 218,200 m\u00b3<\/td>\n +46%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Temperate hardwood plywood<\/td>\n 763,000 m\u00b3<\/td>\n 857,300 m\u00b3<\/td>\n -11%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Softwood plywood<\/td>\n 881,100 m\u00b3<\/td>\n 1.09 million m\u00b3<\/td>\n -19%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n EU+UK tropical hardwood plywood imports by main source<\/h3>\n
\n\n
\n \nSupplier<\/th>\n Jan\u2013Jun 2026<\/th>\n Jan\u2013Jun 2025<\/th>\n Change y\/y<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n Viet Nam<\/td>\n 97,500 m\u00b3<\/td>\n 14,200 m\u00b3<\/td>\n +587%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Indonesia<\/td>\n 65,200 m\u00b3<\/td>\n 56,200 m\u00b3<\/td>\n +16%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Gabon<\/td>\n 42,900 m\u00b3<\/td>\n 28,800 m\u00b3<\/td>\n +49%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Malaysia<\/td>\n 40,800 m\u00b3<\/td>\n 40,800 m\u00b3<\/td>\n Stable<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n China<\/td>\n 10,900 m\u00b3<\/td>\n 27,300 m\u00b3<\/td>\n -60%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n EU+UK temperate hardwood plywood imports by main source<\/h3>\n
\n\n
\n \nSupplier<\/th>\n Jan\u2013Jun 2026<\/th>\n Jan\u2013Jun 2025<\/th>\n Change y\/y<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n China<\/td>\n 405,400 m\u00b3<\/td>\n 633,400 m\u00b3<\/td>\n -36%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Viet Nam<\/td>\n 131,400 m\u00b3<\/td>\n 14,500 m\u00b3<\/td>\n +806%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Ukraine<\/td>\n 105,000 m\u00b3<\/td>\n 114,100 m\u00b3<\/td>\n -8%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Kazakhstan<\/td>\n 29,500 m\u00b3<\/td>\n 15,000 m\u00b3<\/td>\n +97%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Brazilia<\/td>\n 18,900 m\u00b3<\/td>\n 4,900 m\u00b3<\/td>\n +286%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n EU+UK softwood plywood imports by main source<\/h3>\n
\n\n
\n \nSupplier<\/th>\n Jan\u2013Jun 2026<\/th>\n Jan\u2013Jun 2025<\/th>\n Change y\/y<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n Brazilia<\/td>\n 583,900 m\u00b3<\/td>\n 778,500 m\u00b3<\/td>\n -25%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n China<\/td>\n 185,400 m\u00b3<\/td>\n 173,300 m\u00b3<\/td>\n +7%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Other suppliers<\/td>\n 111,800 m\u00b3<\/td>\n 136,000 m\u00b3<\/td>\n -18%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Total<\/strong><\/td>\n 881,100 m\u00b3<\/strong><\/td>\n 1.09 million m\u00b3<\/strong><\/td>\n -19%<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"