Markets Archive

China Hits Brakes after Stock Slide
20 October 2015 The recent stock market maelstrom in China has had an impact on the Asian timber markets

Stability creates positive market sentiment
20 October 2015 Chipboard demand in the UK is not breaking any records but the market is stable and traders have a positive outlook. Keren Fallwell reports.

Window Opens
20 October 2015 Market fundamentals look positive for the joinery products sector, though skills shortages and cost pressures are a concern. Stephen Powney reports.

Plywood demand remains on even keel
21 September 2015 The plywood sector is expected to remain on a stable course for the remainder of the year but there are still some issues causing concern. Keren Fallwell reports.

Demonstrate legality, or lose your markets
21 September 2015 Proving timber is not illegally sourced is a demanding process. But European markets for tropical timber will continue to shrink and become more specialised if legality measures are not broadly adopted, says Robert Simpson, programme manager at the UN FAO for the Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade Initiative.

Commodity Softwood Price Challenge
20 August 2015 High stock levels and falling prices have been a recent feature in the softwood trade, reports Jerry Wilson

Changing Times
20 July 2015 The first two months of 2015 brought a change in markets for West & Central African timbers, ending the 2014 general upwards trend in both price and demand.

Integrated Innovation Masters
20 June 2015 South Sweden’s timber sector is diverse, dynamic and developing, as Mike Jeffree discovered on an industry road trip.

Gearing up for the future
20 June 2015 The Swedish timber industry is in positive mood, as domestic demand strengthens and global economic improvement drives export demand. Mikael Eliasson, director Swedish Wood at the Swedish Forest Industries Federation, reports.

In good shape
20 May 2015 Fencing sales have been on the increase with the onset of warmer weather. Stephen Powney reports.

Plywood fights back
20 May 2015 The plywood manufacturing industry has shown resilience to fight back against market challenges of recent years, US expert Dick Baldwin told traders in London recently.

Currency changes create buying caution
20 May 2015 Currency movements are making buyers cautious but underlying demand for plywood is said to be good. Keren Fallwell reports.

British Bullish in spite of price pain
20 April 2015 The exchange rate moving in favour of imports has dented British producers’ margins but they say they’ll stay firm on retaining market share. Sally Spencer reports

Whitewood market oversupply dominates sector
20 April 2015 Since last autumn, whitewood carcassing production in southern Sweden has continued to flow, and sawmills with growing inventories began to place as much volume as possible anywhere prepared to take it. But trying to ram more volume into an overflowing market has depressed prices, reports Jerry Wilson

Supply surge and currency caution
20 April 2015 Finnish mills are facing the dual challenges of a weakening euro and a supply-driven market. Keren Fallwell reports

Steady demand satisfies market
20 March 2015 There is a pleasing stability in the UK chipboard market. Keren Fallwell reports

Asia Prospects
20 March 2015 Traders in timber products from Asia saw an improved market in 2014 but prospects this year are less clear

Diversity Drivers
20 February 2015 A range of market factors are coming together to drive choice and variety in the hardwood market. Mike Jeffree reports

Hardwood Health
20 February 2015 The hardwood business is not without its issues, but continuing demand growth and slowly but steadily improving supply are ingredients for a positive market outlook. Mike Jeffree reports

Steady Progress
20 February 2015 At the start of 2015, most Irish sawmills have expressed optimism about business prospects for the year. Keren Fallwell reports