Markets Archive
Archive of industry markets from the global ttj industryMarkets By Date
September 2018
Top
Gearing up for Brexit
Major Irish pallet producer CJ Sheeran explains how it has increased its ISPM15 heat-treatment capacity
Unchartered waters for pallets sector
Pallet and fencing timber price levels have been rocketing in 2018. Uncertainty remains as to how near we are to the market peak. Stephen Powney reports
Politics start to dominate
Currently stable, the UK plywood market remains positive but there are challenges looming. Meanwhile OSB continues to take market share. TTJ contributor Andy Tunnicliffe speaks to key market players
August 2018
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Globalised hardwood market brings pressures
In the words of one importer, global demand for hardwood of all kinds is on the rise, and the UK trade has to deal with the consequences. Mike Jeffree reports
Swedish forest fire risk poses new supply threat
After a strong softwood market in the first five months to the end of May, many UK timber merchants experienced slackening demand during June and up to mid-July. From then onwards, a gradual and stronger level of activity began to emerge. The downturn was at odds with global trends, which saw other markets across Europe and in other major economic areas witness steady and expanding consumption. Jerry Wilson reports
July 2018
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Changing ownership
For the latest MDF report, we give a global picture of MDF mill developments. This extract from the first part of an annual survey of the global MDF industry by independent consultant Geoff Rhodes for sister title Wood-Based Panels International looks at expanded capacity
May 2018
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Oak passion
English Woodlands has carved out a reputation as a passionate hardwood timber merchant on a growth trajectory. Stephen Powney visited its Cocking site
Price volatility set to continue
Fencing hits its peak season and tightness in log supply is causing headaches for pallet manufacturers. Sally Spencer reports
Supply and demand squeeze
The UK hardwood sector is caught between a more cautious market and global supply constraints. Mike Jeffree reports
April 2018
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Desperately seeking softwood
The TTF’s Softwood Conference came at a key time for the European softwood sector, with delegates keen to hear about latest market developments and forecasts for 2018 and beyond. Stephen Powney reports.
The only way is up
Ireland’s timber industry is subject to the same pressures on supply as the rest of the world and prices for both logs and sawn timber are on the rise. Sally Spencer reports
March 2018
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Supply issues dominate market
Securing supply is currently preoccupying the chipboard trade. Keren Fallwell reports
February 2018
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UK sawmills seek supply solutions
Continuing high log prices and a lack of log availability have reached dangerous proportions in the UK, with mills cutting their production as a result. But an industry crunch meeting with the Scottish government has provided hope of a solution, reports Stephen Powney
Sourcing central to success
The hardwood sector is confident of demand, but says supply is the key focus for 2018. Mike Jeffree reports
December 2017
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Irish timber processors stay true to UK market
Ireland’s economy has made a good recovery but domestic demand for timber is still at a low level, making the UK a crucial and enduring export market. Sally Spencer reports
November 2017
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The highest bidder
With current prices in the UK failing to compensate for sterling’s downward currency adjustments, the road ahead for importers looks more uncertain as mills must favour those markets prepared to pay the going rate, reports Jerry Wilson
Softwood in tune and on trend
The International Softwood Conference highlighted primarily positive trends for the softwood sector around the globe, with demand growing and new applications taking root. Mike Jeffree reports
October 2017
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Demand solid but supply tightens
Chipboard business is keeping traders busy but supply issues are such that even European producers are selling P1 and P2 in the UK. Keren Fallwell reports
September 2017
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Plywood sales On steady course
UK plywood demand is reasonably healthy, and expected to remain so, but shipping issuesand environmental crackdowns in China could affect supply. Keren Fallwell reports
August 2017
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UK prices “too low” and “too slow”
European softwood sawmillers say low UK prices compared with other world markets may result in some UK importers being short of wood following the summer, according to TTJ’s softwood market specialist
