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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.

TTJ Softwood Update: Market heading more into balance
17 April, 2023
With Q1 over, UK traders have voiced mixed feelings over sales. While importers in some areas of the UK reported reasonable activity levels, others felt that softwood demand was a long way below average. Interest rate hikes, higher energy costs and a volatile exchange rate have all played their part in creating falling confidence within the industry.

High demand catches importers off guard
05 August, 2020
Demand has improved beyond expectation but whether this is a “bubble” of activity or a longer term trend remains to be seen. TTJ’s Softwood Specialist reports

Essential Products Provider
09 June, 2020
TIMCON summarises market dynamics and activities for the UK pallet sector in Q1 and since the Covid-19 crisis started

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

Falling timber prices hit fencing sector
28 January, 2020
Fencing timber has fallen victim to the weaker prices that dogged structural timber for much of 2019

Highway to Hardwood Market growth
18 December, 2019
Last month’s International Hardwood Conference demonstrated a new energy and focus in the sector. Mike Jeffree reports

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

Little Change in Chipboard Trading
23 October, 2019
There is a mix of views on the current state of the UK chipboard market but whatever the perspective, no-one is using positive superlatives. Keren Fallwell reports

Challenges all round for softwood
23 October, 2019
Trade in softwood has been tumultuous this year but this month may see more stability. Jerry Wilson reports

Brisk business sums up year to date
17 September, 2019
It’s been a good year for fencing, while the pallet sector witnessed a boom in demand in the first quarter thanks to pre-Brexit stockpiling. 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

Imports erode MDF price gains
29 July, 2019
UK demand for MDF is stable, if unremarkable, but European imports are putting downward pressure on prices. Keren Fallwell 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

Timber prices soften
16 May, 2019
Our latest market update on the fencing and pallets sector sees a lot more stability and even downward pressure on raw material prices, while good weather has also provided a welcome boost to demand, reports Stephen Powney.