The Québec Wood Export Bureau (Q-WEB) team’s meeting with The Timber Trade Federation‘s National Softwood Division (NSD) in London coincides with an increasing flow of Canadian carcassing to the UK.
Guy Careau, Q-WEB’s softwood sector president and also president of sawmiller Careau Bois, told 14 NSD members that 5-10 mills in Québec were trying to convert to UK standards to produce C16 and C24 timber.
“More and more people are wondering about whether they should produce for the UK,” said Mr Careau. “ So far no big guys have made the move. But some are thinking about it.”
Mr Careau said his own company was currently shipping about 70 containers of carcassing regularly to Liverpool but Tilbury would also feature soon.
Mr Careau said he was charging about US$22/m3 for carcassing shipped to the UK in 52m3 capacity containers.
“If demand in the UK increases and prices stay competitive we may see more ships loading [break bulk].”
NSD chairman Jim Peryer asked Mr Careau whether Canada would be committed to the UK should the US market improve.
“My opinion is Eastern Canada will stay here as long as they get good value for their product but will disappear when they get a better deal,” said Mr Careau.
Q-WEB and the TTF plan to discuss a possible mutual agreement between the former’s Code of Conduct and the latter’s Responsible Purchasing Policy.
