Spain's timber importers and distributors are reporting relatively stable business conditions in 2026, although stronger competition and signs of weaker purchasing activity are beginning to affect expectations for the remainder of the year.<\/p>\n
A survey conducted by the Spanish timber trade association AEIM among its board members found that most companies had maintained their sales levels during the first six months of 2026. However, fewer businesses are anticipating growth in the second half, while a substantial proportion report increasing pressure from competitors.<\/p>\n
The findings were discussed during AEIM's board meeting on September 23 at the Forest Science and Technology Centre of Catalonia in Solsona.<\/p>\n
Sales remain stable, but competition is increasing<\/strong><\/p>\n According to the association's business survey, 91% of respondents said trading activity in the first half of 2026 was broadly unchanged from the corresponding period of 2025.<\/p>\n Profitability showed a more varied picture. While 55% reported stable margins, 27% had achieved an improvement and 18% experienced a modest deterioration.<\/p>\n Competition, however, has become more pronounced. Almost two-thirds of respondents, or 64%, said competitive pressure had increased compared with last year.<\/p>\n The figures suggest that companies are maintaining their business volumes in a market where securing orders has become more demanding. Stable sales have not necessarily translated into better commercial conditions for all operators.<\/p>\n Inventories have remained largely unchanged, according to 55% of respondents. Payment conditions also appear relatively stable, with 82% reporting no significant change in outstanding unpaid debts compared with 2025.<\/p>\n Fewer inquiries raise questions about demand<\/strong><\/p>\n One of the more concerning findings relates to customer inquiries and requests for quotations.<\/p>\n While 55% of respondents reported little change in commercial activity, 36% said they were receiving fewer inquiries.<\/p>\n This divergence between current sales and incoming requests may become increasingly important if purchasing activity weakens further. Companies can maintain deliveries from existing orders even as the pipeline for future business begins to narrow.<\/p>\n Expectations for the second half of 2026 remain predominantly cautious.<\/p>\n Some 73% of respondents expect sales to remain at approximately the same level as in the corresponding period of 2025. Another 18% anticipate a decline of up to 10%, while just 9% foresee growth of up to 10%.<\/p>\n The survey therefore points to a market where stability remains the most common expectation, but the balance of sentiment is tilted towards weaker rather than stronger demand.<\/p>\n Timber companies prioritise digital investment over recruitment<\/strong><\/p>\n The survey also provides an indication of how Spanish timber traders are adjusting their investment priorities.<\/p>\n Only 9% of respondents intend to increase staffing, suggesting limited appetite for expanding employment under current market conditions.<\/p>\n Investment in physical capacity is attracting somewhat greater interest, with 27% considering expansion of facilities or purchases of machinery.<\/p>\n By contrast, 91% are planning to increase their use of digital systems, software or artificial intelligence. Another 73% intend to broaden their product ranges.<\/p>\n These priorities suggest that companies are concentrating on improving existing operations and expanding their commercial offering rather than committing to substantial increases in capacity.<\/p>\n For timber importers and distributors, investment in inventory management, sales systems and administrative processes may offer opportunities to reduce operating costs without requiring a corresponding expansion in personnel.<\/p>\n Product diversification could also become more important as companies compete for orders across a market where overall demand is showing limited growth.<\/p>\n A stable market with fewer reasons for optimism<\/strong><\/p>\n AEIM's findings describe a Spanish timber trade that has so far avoided a significant contraction in sales, but is facing a more difficult commercial environment than a year earlier.<\/p>\n The combination of stronger competition, fewer inquiries at some companies and limited expectations for sales growth suggests that the market could remain under pressure through the final months of 2026.<\/p>\n For now, most respondents expect business to remain close to last year's levels. Whether that stability continues will depend in part on whether the slowdown in inquiries develops into weaker orders.<\/p>\n Spanish timber trade: AEIM business barometer, September 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n Source: AEIM business barometer, September 23, 2026. Survey of AEIM board members.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Spain’s timber importers and distributors are reporting relatively stable business conditions in 2026, although stronger competition and signs of weaker purchasing activity are beginning to affect expectations for the remainder of the year.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":100338,"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-100337","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-daily-news"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n
\n \nIndicator<\/th>\n Survey result<\/th>\n Share<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n H1 2026 sales<\/td>\n Similar to H1 2025<\/td>\n 91%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Profit margins<\/td>\n Unchanged \/ improved \/ declined<\/td>\n 55% \/ 27% \/ 18%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Competition<\/td>\n Increased from 2025<\/td>\n 64%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Inventories<\/td>\n Largely unchanged<\/td>\n 55%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Unpaid debts<\/td>\n Similar to 2025<\/td>\n 82%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Customer inquiries<\/td>\n Declined \/ unchanged<\/td>\n 36% \/ 55%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n H2 2026 sales outlook<\/td>\n Stable \/ down up to 10% \/ up up to 10%<\/td>\n 73% \/ 18% \/ 9%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Material substitution<\/td>\n Some substitution of wood products<\/td>\n 63%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Workforce<\/td>\n Plan to increase staffing<\/td>\n 9%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Facilities and machinery<\/td>\n Considering investment<\/td>\n 27%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Digitalisation and AI<\/td>\n Plan investment<\/td>\n 91%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Product diversification<\/td>\n Plan to expand product range<\/td>\n 73%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n