
When the UK’s “mini heatwave” arrived in the last week of April, the fencing sector was no doubt hoping that the warm weather was the start of positive things to come.
That’s not to say this year’s fencing season has got off to a bad start, but generally the longer the warm, dry weather continues, the better.
The upturn in the weather followed a wet winter in most parts of the UK which presented ups and downs for fencing traders, depending on their location. Some said replacement of fencing following the winter storms provided them more business than usual, while others felt the wet weather had, literally, dampened outdoor projects and demand.
“We kept busy but it wasn’t a great winter,” one contact told TTJ.
Having said that, March sales for the contact were slightly up on last year, and others reported that the run-up to Easter – often the marker for the start of the fencing season – was busy.
Contrary to the impression that the UK experienced high rainfall over winter, a sawmiller said it had been “relatively dry and mild” and so “the regular excuse of too wet/ too cold” had not been evident.
One fencing supplier and contractor said that demand prior to Easter was very high for the supply and fitting of fencing, with lead times as long as 10-12 weeks. Demand for just fencing, however, was much lower.
The sawmiller also reported above-average business for fencing and expected sales to remain steady over the summer.
“Demand for our fencing products is at a higher level than normal, and certainly higher than last year. We’ve had a busy first quarter and we expect that to continue well into the autumn,” the sawmiller said.
Although it’s difficult to imagine anything romantic about fencing, Valentine’s Day, and then the position of Easter in the calendar, also affect fencing sales.
“An early Easter is no good. The possibility of poor weather means the momentum normally felt the closest Tuesday to Valentine’s Day – the day I say is like someone flicking a switch – is lost and it stutters a bit,” said one contact. “A late Easter, as it was this year, gives the Valentine’s effect a second stimulus. The further through June or July we see the effect, the better the year turns out. If we see numbers dip in late May then we have to work harder to make up for that reduction in footfall.”
Another contact also remarked on the positive impact of a later Easter.
“The good weather brings further encouragement to get out in the garden,” he said.
While his figures for February and March were on a par with last year, he was not confident, however, that the 2025 season would be a stand-out year.
“There’s nothing to suggest it will be an absolute boom. I’m not writing off the year, but I think it will be pretty average,” he said, and added that he expected the season to be shorter than other years.
The UK economy and geopolitical uncertainties all pay into consumer choices, even if people are not obviously affected, he said.
“The uncertainty will reduce demand, even if it’s just a mindset, or someone’s pension value has gone down. People will be more cautious,” he said.
Given the general air of uncertainty, if sales improved slightly on last year, he would be happy.
In terms of fencing trends, waney- and feather-edge remain the fencing staples, but the trend for the modern, Venetian panel continues.
While consumers’ budgets are being squeezed, so too are those of businesses.
The raising of the energy price cap from April 1 meant electricity prices have more than doubled for businesses that have ended their fixed deals. Added to this, the employers’ National Insurance contribution, water costs and wages have also risen. Another pointed to the rising cost of mechanics’ labour, which is no small expense considering the number of trucks and forklifts his business used.
One contact was fearful of the impact of the NI increase.
“I will wait to see the impact on us. It’s not as simple as saying it’s gone from 11% to 15% because the starting threshold has been reduced. I think some businesses may look to shed one in every 10 people, and the bigger the organisation, the bigger the impact,” he said. “If unemployment surges then we could all be in a mess.”
The sawmiller also noted that the increase in employers’ NI contributions and the higher minimum wage were starting to impact on his business. Cost of living challenges for individuals also remained and he thought it unlikely that consumer spending would increase in the short term.
“Certainly, the state of the UK economy is suppressing general construction activity, whether that’s house building, infrastructure projects or RMI. That said, demand levels are positive at the moment for British timber,” the sawmiller added. “The savvy buyer, however, will be looking to the future and asking ‘how will supply meet increased levels of demand when activity does pick up?’”.
Timber prices are creeping up and any increase in the cost of imported material is likely to be followed by increases for homegrown timber.
“We’re experiencing a rising market for fencing-related timber products,” said the sawmiller. “Imported fencing products seem less readily available than previous years, especially from certain parts of northern Europe, and that has changed the supply/ demand balance towards lower availability and rising prices.”
He added that any supply issues were not affecting his business, however, as the business increased inventory levels in Q4 last year “to ensure that high levels of service and good product availability were in place throughout the busiest parts of the year”.
In early April one contact reported there had been no increase in timber costs – only to contact TTJ a few days later to say he had received notification of a 2.7% increase from two suppliers, effective from May.
“We will see if we can absorb this,” he said.
The weather, however, remains one of the biggest influences on fencing demand so, like most of us, everyone along the supply chain will be hoping for a long, hot summer.
STRANGE MARKET FOR WOODEN PALLETS AND PACKAGING
Domestic and global uncertainties are changing the dynamics of the pallets and packing market. TIMCON president John Dye outlines the current mood

The UK wood pallet and packaging industry continues to operate in an unusual environment, with reports of steady trading in some areas, but general unpredictability too.
Many pallet manufacturers and sawmills report that they are “comfortably busy” – although by no means overwhelmed – with healthy demand for their products. However, there is some confusion about the underlying drivers of this trend, given the generally subdued performance of key sectors like construction.
New house building remains below pre-pandemic averages, and infrastructure projects are progressing slowly in the face of both domestic and global economic challenges, as well as ongoing political uncertainty. Many developers and public sector clients appear to be holding back on larger projects while these issues persist.
Overall, it’s a strange dynamic: wood products are moving, but not according to traditional, more predictable patterns of demand.
TIGHTER AVAILABILITY
While overall timber availability remains relatively stable, supplies of certain sizes are tightening, which is having an impact on pallet manufacturing. Prices have remained flat since December, following a prolonged period of volatility – offering some stability for buyers at least.
We have also heard reports of slower turnaround times for reconditioned and pooled pallets. Goods would appear to be taking longer to be unpacked and pallets returned into circulation, suggesting sluggish movement in retail and other sectors using pooled systems. This could be linked to generally weaker consumer demand.
International shipping prices remain high due to a combination of factors, including the time and cost impacts of disruption in regions such as the Red Sea. Fluctuations in exchange rates also continue to influence the cost of timber imports and pricing.