Markets Archive

Positive Signs
21 November 2016 In spite of uncertainty in the market since the June referendum, demand has remained steady for most traders whose immediate concerns relate to supply gaps rather than order shortages, reports Jerry Wilson

Keep calm and carry on
20 September 2016 Sterling’s post-referendum fall is currently probably the biggest issue for UK plywood traders. Keren Fallwell reports

Hardwood recovers buoyancy post-Brexit
19 August 2016 The UK hardwood sector seems to be weathering the immediate currency and confidence impacts of the EU referendum; it’s passing price rises on and forecasts a good to firm second half. Mike Jeffree reports

Shippers react to Brexit
19 August 2016 The UK’s vote to leave the EU has had a dramatic affect on imported softwood prices, but demand continues to hold up

Steady progress
20 July 2016 Price stability for West African timber and wood products has been a feature of the recent market

Consistent product maintains steady demand
20 July 2016 UK traders have no complaints about the current MDF market. Keren Fallwell reports

Heath boost for Swedish mills
21 June 2016 Market conditions have improved for Swedish sawmills and their Q2 results are expected to show a substantial improvement. Stephen Powney reports.

Currency changes shape market
20 May 2016 Fluctuating exchange rates are currently perhaps the biggest single influence on the plywood market. Keren Fallwell reports

Uncertainty hangs over markets
20 April 2016 Some markets are providing good business for Finnish mills but exchange rates changes are causing uncertainty. Keren Fallwell reports.

The key to stability
21 March 2016 Europe currently holds the key to overall market stability in the tropical timber market

Waiting Game
21 March 2016 Pressure exists from Northern European mills for increased prices after Sterling’s recent fall but patience may be required before shippers’ can claw back the currency reduction in the UK

Chipping in
21 March 2016 UK chipboard volume import stats show a reduction for 2015 and the market is reportedly clouded at the start of this year

Baltic mills look for improvements
24 February 2016 Export market conditions for Baltic sawmillers were challenging in 2015 but they are hoping for improvements this year. Stephen Powney reports

No records broken but budgets met
24 February 2016 The UK hardwood sector may be dealing with numerous issues besides buying and selling timber, but reports business as relatively stable through 2015. Mike Jeffree reports

Celtic phoenix rises
24 February 2016 Ireland’s economy is growing but for the country’s sawmills, the UK remains their focus. Keren Fallwell reports

African hardwood prospects
25 January 2016 Reliance on markets other than China will hold the key to prospects for West African timber producers in 2016

Timber frame grows market share
21 December 2015 An important new timber frame industry report published by the Structural Timber Association gives a positive picture of the sector’s growth potential in the next few years.

Irish Growth
21 December 2015 Following on from our coverage on the recent FEFPEB pallet congress in Ireland, we ask pallet entrepreneur Sean Lehane, owner of Mid Cork Pallets, about the development of his business and how he sees the wider market situation in Ireland.

Currency shapes softwood trends
25 November 2015 Softwood inventories remain high in the UK, but some gaps in specifications are appearingand demand levels reportedly improved in the run-up to November. Jerry Wilson reports

Mills hold price solidarity
20 November 2015 West and Central African hardwood producers have held their price solidarity in spite of several negative market factors