Supplying Timber Issue 9 0 - Autumn 2025 - Flipbook - Page 22
———— TIMBER IMPORT STATISTICS ————
THE MARKET
(OSB) imports remained broadly
stable, slipping by only 0.4%
compared to the same period
last year. Its value edged up
slightly by 1.2%, indicating
steady pricing dynamics despite
subdued demand.
Particleboard, by contrast,
saw a modest 1.9% increase
in imports, supported by
stronger shipments from
Germany and Spain, alongside
a doubling of Chinese exports.
France also maintained its
position as a leading supplier,
while Belgium and Portugal
experienced notable reductions.
Despite these volume gains,
particleboard’s overall value fell
by 10% due to a 12% decline in
average prices.
Prices re昀氀ect supply
shifts and volatility
Price trends across timber
and panel products continue
to diverge sharply. Softwood
prices have risen steadily, with
the average basket price for
softwood imports reaching
£291 per m³ in June 2025 – a
10.8% increase over H1 2024.
Redwoods led the way, climbing
26%, while whitewood prices
dropped by 5%.
Hardwood prices were
broadly 昀氀at year-on-year, with
temperate species rising 7%
and tropical species falling
5%. The dominance of Chinese
hardwood plywood imports has
pushed prices down by 8.2%
over the past year, with June
prices averaging £386 per m³.
By contrast, softwood plywood
prices have been more volatile,
rising nearly 9% in Q1 2025
before sliding by 4% in Q2,
leaving prices 2.4% higher than
the previous year.
Timber demand remains
closely tied to housebuilding
trends, which continue to show
long-term weakness despite
recent quarterly gains.
Housing starts in England
were 23% higher in Q1 2025
compared to Q1 2024, but this
follows a 25% decline in total
starts during 2024. Completions
also fell by 5% last year, with
private-sector completions
down 6%.
The broader UK economy has
grown modestly, with GDP up
1.2% year-on-year in Q2 2025.
Interest rates eased slightly to
4.0% in August, but in昀氀ation
remains above target, with CPI
at 3.6% in June and CPIH at
4.1%.
Exchange rates have
昀氀uctuated, with Sterling
weakening against the Euro and
Dollar, but showing resilience
against some Asian currencies,
in昀氀uencing timber import costs
and competitiveness.
SUPPLYING TIMBER
22
AUTUMN 2025
"After a relatively steady
start to 2025, timber
import volumes softened
in the second quarter,
resulting in a modest
decline 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,
re昀氀ecting ongoing
market shifts.
"Rising softwood
prices and subdued
levels of housebuilding
add complexity but the
strong performance
of engineered wood
underlines its growing
role in UK construction."
Nick Boulton, Head of
Technical and Trade,
TDUK
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Get market data and industry
statistics on a wide range of timber
species online at
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