The latest available TTF Timber Statistics – Industry Facts & Figures (December) shows that UK imports of the main timber and panel products in Q3 2018 appeared to have returned to 2017 levels.
The total volume of imported timber and panel products was 2.8 million m3 in Q3 – the same level as in Q3 2017.
September was 2% higher than a year ago, the second month in Q3 where volume was higher than in the same period in 2017.
But the bounce follows two earlier quarters of lower import levels, which will still mean 2018 total imports will be lower than 2017.
The nine months from January to September 2018 showed imports reduced by around 337,000m3 (4%) compared to last year.
Softwood imports
Cumulative softwood import volumes for the first nine months of 2018 were lower at 4.869 million m3 (2017: 5.24 million m3). But price increases meant the value of those imports was 5.2% higher than last year.
The market share of imported softwood for Latvia and Germany increased in the first three quarters of 2018, while that of Finland, the Republic of Ireland and Russia fell.
UK hardwood import volumes are increasing for the third straight year, up 6.1% for the first nine months of 2018 at 403,000m3 (2018: 380,000m3). But this may be revised due to apparent mis-recording of volumes from Norway. Removal of these volumes would reduce totals to 2017 levels.
Volumes from Estonia, Italy and Cameroon fell 13%, 16% and 18% respectively. Other trends include high growth from Latvia and moderate growth from the US and France.
Panel product imports
UK imports of all forms of plywood grew in 2018, with cumulative volumes for the first nine months standing at 1.236 million m3 (2017: 1.193 million m3).
The highest volume ply product – hardwood plywood – showed a 2.8% reduction in import levels for the period to 785,000m3 (2017: 807,000m3).
In terms of growth, Russia and Indonesia led the way with growth of 13% and 9% respectively in the first three quarters of 2018, with losses recorded by China, Malaysia and Finland.
Softwood plywood saw a strong improvement in Q1-3, 2018 with a 17.1% rise in UK import volumes to 451,000m3 (2017: 385,000m3). However, the month of September 2018 recorded a 9% fall on the same month in 2017 due to lower levels of Brazilian imports.
South Africa has grown its UK volumes by nearly 200% to become a bigger player in the UK. By the end of Q3 it had claimed a 5% market share. China (+65%) and Finland (+23%) showed strong growth, with Brazil and Chile growing at a lesser rate, leading to a fall in their market share.
Particleboard import levels saw large growth from Germany in August and September. The months recorded about 30,000m3 above the total monthly average for 2017 and 2018.
Particleboard import volumes for the first nine months of 2018 were 731,000m3, (2017: 698,000m3), up 4.7% on a year ago.
Belgium and Spain volumes fell, while shipments from Portugal and Ireland grew. Large increases from Latvia, Poland and Romania also boosted figures.
OSB imports were flat for the period with 0.5% growth at 279,000m3.
Overall, the fall in softwood volumes outweighed changes with other products and was the biggest factor in the 4% fall in total UK timber and panel product import volumes by Q3 2018.
For full statistics see www.ttf.co.uk or contact the TTF on 020 3205 0067 / ttf@ttf.co.uk
