Markets Archive

Unbowed by brexit
12 February 2019 Regardless of political and economic uncertainty, some hardwood traders are still budgeting for growth. Mike Jeffree reports

Hoping for the best
17 December 2018 The future of Anglo-Irish trade is in the hands of the politicians at the moment, causing a great deal of uncertainty. Sally Spencer reports

All change on softwood market
22 November 2018 The softwood market is very dynamic, with the US/China tariff war, concerns about Brexit and log supply issues all playing their part. Jerry Wilson reports

Brexit concerns start to bite
25 October 2018 The chipboard sector has had its challenges and Brexit is looming large. Andrew Tunnicliffe reports

Making the most of challenging times
25 October 2018 Business in the joinery sector under the “shadow of Brexit” may be more stop start and capital investment may be patchy but manufacturers still see opportunities to drive market share. Mike Jeffree reports

Gearing up for Brexit
25 September 2018 Major Irish pallet producer CJ Sheeran explains how it has increased its ISPM15 heat-treatment capacity

Unchartered waters for pallets sector
25 September 2018 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
25 September 2018 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

Globalised hardwood market brings pressures
27 August 2018 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
27 August 2018 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

Changing ownership
26 July 2018 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

Oak passion
22 May 2018 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
22 May 2018 Fencing hits its peak season and tightness in log supply is causing headaches for pallet manufacturers. Sally Spencer reports

Supply and demand squeeze
22 May 2018 The UK hardwood sector is caught between a more cautious market and global supply constraints. Mike Jeffree reports

Desperately seeking softwood
25 April 2018 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
25 April 2018 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

Supply issues dominate market
21 March 2018 Securing supply is currently preoccupying the chipboard trade. Keren Fallwell reports

UK sawmills seek supply solutions
26 February 2018 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
26 February 2018 The hardwood sector is confident of demand, but says supply is the key focus for 2018. Mike Jeffree reports

Irish timber processors stay true to UK market
29 December 2017 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