However, March’s figures show imports declined 1.6% from the same month in 2011. April’s figures, yet to be validated, will give a clue if the recovery trend seen in January (+9.7%) and February (+4.2%) has come to an end or whether March was a brief stutter.
Solid wood imports were up 13% and panel products dipped by 12%.
Sweden increased its market dominance of imported softwood with a 53% share in the first quarter (+5%), with Finland (13% share), Latvia (13%) and Ireland (5%) remaining constant.
Total softwoods imports were 1.2 million m3 (2011: 1.06 million m3).
Growth in hardwood imports from the US, Italy, Cameroon and Malaysia has seen the countries improve their market share, with the US achieving a 25% market share. Germany’s market fell around 12%.
Hardwood first quarter imports totalled 120,000m3 (2011: 104,000m3).
Plywood imports were 11.9% down on last year, with 300,000m3 imported. Hardwood ply shipments fell by 5.1%. A large boost in Chinese volumes in March (and to a lesser extent Uruguay) helped boost hardwood ply volumes after a sluggish start to the year. China’s hardwood ply market share stood at 56% in the first quarter.
