Timber and panel product imports saw a slight decrease in volumes during the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year, the latest Timber Development UK (TDUK) statistics show.

Total imports reached 4.76 million m3 in the first six months of 2025, down 2.9% from 4.90 million m3 in the first half of 2024.

The bulk of this decline was driven by weaker demand in the second quarter of the year, with Q2 volumes 159,000 m3 lower than in Q2 2024, outweighing a small increase of 16,000 m3 in the first quarter.

Across the main product categories, imports of solid wood fell by 3.8% in H1 2025, while panel product imports declined by 1.2%. Softwood, hardwood, and medium-density fibreboard (MDF) sectors all recorded lower volumes, with softwood imports dropping by 4%. Much of this was due to a reduction of 145,000 m3 in imports from Sweden – down 10% year-on-year.

Ireland and Germany also supplied less softwood to the UK market, though imports from Latvia and Finland offset some of the decline, with combined volumes from those countries rising by 60,000 m3. Growth of 7% from Latvia and 6% from Finland helped boost their market share.

For tropical hardwoods, a weaker Q2 2025 transformed a near 3% growth in Q1 2025 to a 6% loss for the first half of the year. MDF also saw a significant fall in volumes, with imports down -29% compared to the previous year.

Despite the overall downward trend, some product areas continued to perform well. Particleboard, plywood, and particularly engineered wood products (EWP) saw notable increases in imports, underlining the growing importance of these materials in construction and manufacturing. Engineered wood continues to buck the broader market slowdown, driven by its versatility and rising demand in sustainable building applications. Although EWP products are the smallest timber group analysed, they saw 14% growth in H1 2024, with each type of EWP growing strongly. For further detail on the growth in EWP visit the TDUK website to access the full report.

Softwood Plywood also enjoyed a 12.6% growth compared with 2024, with Brazil consolidating its position as the number one supplying country – accounting for almost three-quarters of all softwood plywood imported by the UK. Imports from China fell by a fifth, meanwhile, with Finnish imports also falling by a third.

The data also highlighted significant movement in pricing. Softwood prices rose sharply (up 11%) in the first half of 2025, a reflection of supply constraints and evolving market conditions. Whitewood values in H1 2025 were 5% lower than H1 2024, while redwood values rose by 26%.

The value of all plywood imported by the UK in H1 2025 was 2% higher than in H1 2024. Hardwood plywood values fell by 2% while softwood plywood values rose by 15%. The growth in softwood plywood values was generated by a 13% increase in volume coupled with a 2% rise in average prices. The fall of 2% in hardwood value was due to a 12% fall in the average price coupled with an 11% increase in volume.

Meanwhile, recent housing data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) suggests that while housebuilding experienced growth over 2024, in real terms activity remains at historically low levels. Housing starts in England in Q1 2025 were 23% higher than in Q1 2024, but despite growth in the latest two quarters over the previous year, the medium-term trend continues downward. With housebuilding remaining a major source of timber sales, this context continues to shape subdued demand patterns for timber and related products.

TDUK Head of Technical and Trade, Nick Boulton, said: “After a relatively steady start to 2025, timber import volumes softened in the second quarter, resulting in a modest decline overall of just under 3% compared to last year. We’re seeing a mixed picture across product categories: softwood, hardwood, and MDF volumes have eased back, while engineered wood products and other panel products are enjoying strong growth, reflecting ongoing shifts in market preferences.

“Rising softwood prices and subdued levels of housebuilding add further complexity to the outlook, but the strong performance of engineered wood underlines its growing role in UK construction and manufacturing. TDUK will continue to monitor these market trends closely and support members in navigating this evolving trading environment.”

Source: specificationonline.co.uk