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UK's softwood imports totalled 426,000m3\u00a0in January this year, with volume increases from Sweden, Finland and the Republic of Ireland largely responsible.<\/p>\n
The softwood category started 2023 on a high, with volumes up 12% compared to January 2022, according to the latest Timber Development UK statistics.<\/p>\n
Despite softwood increases, overall timber import volumes were 8.7% lower than in January 2022. This is due to significant declines in panel product imports, with plywood and particleboard down 42% and 18% respectively. Hardwood imports also dropped by 37% following a record year in 2022.<\/p>\n
Looking long-term, there is room for positivity, with yearly import volumes around 100,000m3\u00a0higher on average than in 2013.<\/p>\n
TDUK Head of Technical and Trade, Nick Boulton, said:\u00a0\u201cIt is great to see softwood imports on the up once more following a tricky 2022.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis growth is largely attributable to returning construction activity, with recent Department for Business and Trade figures reporting increased RM&I work in early 2023.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese latest softwood figures suggest that normality may finally be returning to the market after a tumultuous few years of Covid, conflict and general uncertainty.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe panel and hardwood sectors are a little further behind, with imports well below 2022 levels. This, however, is due in part to unusually high imports in January 2022 rather than downward market trends.<\/p>\n
\u201cLooking long-term, the stats paint a positive picture with timber imports consistently on the up since 2013.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is likely to continue in the years ahead as the UK Government looks to decarbonise its built environment using timber.\u201d<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
UK’s softwood imports totalled 426,000m3\u00a0in January this year, with volume increases from Sweden, Finland and the Republic of Ireland largely responsible. The softwood category started 2023 on a high, with volumes up 12% compared to January 2022, according to the … Continue reading