Timber and panel product import volumes reached their highest January levels for three years, according to new statistics from the Timber Trade Federation (TTF).
The volume in January was 617,000m³ with solid timber imports 22% higher than a year ago, with panel products down by 11%. Combined imports were 8.4% higher.
But the total was still more than a third lower than the pre-recessionary total of 930,000m³ in January 2007.
The better volume in January has helped the three-month average import total.
Sweden and Russia recorded growth in their UK softwood shipments in January, compared to a year ago, while German volumes were less than half. Overall softwood imports grew by 23.1%.
Hardwood volumes were 11.2% higher than January 2011, with the US and Italy registering increases, but French volumes fell back substantially.
Plywood volumes fell 29%, with Chinese and Malaysian shipments down and Finland, Russia, Latvia and Uruguay all experiencing growth.
