Total UK timber product imports registered a 9% shortfall last October compared to the same month in 2009 – the first time this has happened in 2010, according to The Timber Trade Federation’s (TTF) latest statistics bulletin.
The industry has predicted there would be little or no growth seen during the final three months.
However, imports of softwood, hardwood and panel products for the 10 months to the end of October remained higher than 2009 by 8.9%, with total volumes hitting 7.1 million m³ (2009: 6.51 million m³).
Sweden’s market share of UK softwood imports fell to 41% in October (2009: 49%), with Finland and Latvia both growing to 15% and Germany maintaining its 8% share.
The cumulative import volume for the year to October was 4.52 million m³ (2009: 4.19 million m³).
Hardwood imports reached 409,000m³ for the nine months – a 27.2% increase over 2009. US imports were down 2% to 23%, with Italy in second place with 8% and France down to 7%.
Total plywood imports grew by 11.8% during the nine months, with volumes reaching 1.089 million m³. Hardwood plywood volumes were up 20.4%, with China’s market share rising 9% to 42% and Malaysia dropping 3% to 19%.
China and Russia were the only countries to increase their UK market share during October.
Softwood plywood imports decreased 2.4% during the nine months to 360,000m³.
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