Markets Archive

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

The highest bidder
22 November 2017 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
22 November 2017 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

Demand solid but supply tightens
20 October 2017 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

Plywood sales On steady course
25 September 2017 UK plywood demand is reasonably healthy, and expected to remain so, but shipping issuesand environmental crackdowns in China could affect supply. Keren Fallwell reports

UK prices “too low” and “too slow”
23 August 2017 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

Irish counter currency change
23 August 2017 Irish softwood sawmillers are investing heavily to boost competitiveness following the Brexit vote’s impact on currency markets, reports Stephen Powney

Unbowed by Brexit or log bans
23 August 2017 The hardwood sector is facing its share of trading challenges, but generally reports business on or above budget. Mike Jeffree reports

UK softwood market quietens down
27 July 2017 The UK softwood market quietened down as the trade moved in to July tempered by the political outfall from the general election, Brexit uncertainty and a sombre aftermath of the Grenfell Tower fire tragedy.

Tight supply is talking point
20 July 2017 The UK’s MDF sector is reasonably happy with demand levels but tight supply is causing some issues. Keren Fallwell reports

Fencing market fails to excite
22 May 2017 Higher than normal fencing stocks and a less than spectacular Easter period has left many fencing manufacturers looking at reduced sales volumes

Producers Bemoan "Dull" European Markets
20 March 2017 Markets in Asia, the Middle and Far East are giving more grounds for optimism for West African producers than “dull” European markets, reports TTJ’s West Africa markets specialist

Softwood Shortages Loom
20 March 2017 There are signs of a softwood shortage for the year ahead with further price increases in the second and third quarters, reports Jerry Wilson

No Brexit Big Bang
20 February 2017 The UK hardwood sector says the EU referendum complicated trade, but had minimal impact on overall sales last year. Mike Jeffree reports

Further Whitewood price increases expected
20 February 2017 Timber exports from the Baltics to the UK increased in 2016 but further price increases for whitewood are widely being mooted for Q2, reports Stephen Powney

Business as usual?
28 December 2016 The Brexit vote shocked the Irish timber industry but the fundamentals of trade remain the same, it says. Sally Spencer reports

Scaling up
28 December 2016 West Cork sawmiller GP Wood is on the mill investment trail, with a major new project at its Enniskeane sawmill

Market progress Dampened for African mills
21 November 2016 The encouraging trading prospects for West and Central African exporters that were expected toconsolidate the first half of 2016’s good progress through into the summer months have tended to fizzle out as we enter the fourth quarter, report’s TTJ’s Africa market specialist