Search Results: 'last report'

TTJ Softwood update: UK softwood trade remains in a lull, but other markets show signs of movement ahead
30 January, 2024
As the New Year began, many areas of the UK were deluged with incessant rain and flooding, leaving building sites both large and small virtually abandoned. With footings underwater and high winds making scaffold working dangerous to work at any height, little progress was being made in either the housing or construction sectors. Due to this situation, the demand for timber has been weak and most timber merchants have refrained from buying stock except for occasional ex-landed top-ups. This subdued activity has inevitably affected prices, and intense competition among traders has kept levels unrealistically low. The current market trend is also reflective of a longer period, with low demand running through Q4 of last year.

No time for living on the hardwood edge
09 June, 2020
With sales reported down 60-65% in April and no clear route yet out of lockdown, traders expect the pandemic to be a long haul for the hardwood sector. Mike Jeffree reports

New Phase of Covid-19 Begins
05 June, 2020
The UK has moved into a new phase in its response to the Covid-19 pandemic and the government clearly wants to try and re-start elements of the UK economy. Stephen Powney reports

Coping with COVID-19
17 April, 2020
The Irish timber sector was looking forward to a year of recovery following the trials of 2019, but coronavirus has changed everything. Sally Spencer reports

Interesting times ahead for softwood
30 March, 2020
The softwood sector is facing a variety of challenges this year, from warm weather impacting harvesting, to industrial action and insect invasions. TTJ’s Softwood Specialist reports

Better Prospects
30 March, 2020
Chipboard market sentiment has improved since the General Election and clear decision over Brexit, reports Stephen Powney

Tougher times ahead
18 December, 2019
An over abundance of European and Scandinavian softwood combined with Brexit worries have impacted demand and forced sawn timber prices down for Irish mills. Sally Spencer reports

Report shows low US hardwood risk
26 August, 2019
New evaluation of the American hardwood sector will strengthen customer confidence in its environmental credentials. Mike Jeffree reports

Time to run a tight ship
21 August, 2019
Traders are in little doubt Brexit is hitting hardwood market confidence. Mike Jeffree reports

Swedish mills positive despite UK oversupply
17 June, 2019
The UK is the largest export market for Swedish softwood, but an oversupply at UK ports is depressing prices. Stephen Powney talks to the Swedish Forest Industries Federation about its current take on markets and the health of its sawmilling industry

Brexit hits hardwood
15 May, 2019
Brexit and a global slowdown are creating competitive conditions in the UK hardwood sector. Mike Jeffree 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

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

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

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

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

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

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