TIMBER
polygon on geo-location as well as species and harvesting dates - this is sent to satellite providers who generate a report telling us, for instance, if there are any natural resources under risk.
“Site audits even encompass aspects such as the efficiency of the machinery used for felling, the fire suppression systems that are in place and the use of solar panels to power welfare units rather than running generators out in the forest. In fact, all the harvesting operations are covered by ISO 14000 and
ISO 45000; the occupational Health & Safety standard.”
The need for robust vigilance has been highlighted by organisations like EarthSight, whose “Blood-stained Birch” video showed how, since the start of the Ukraine war, more than €1bn of Russian plywood has been wrongly given FSC accreditation by China and sold in the EU. This emphasis on diligence not only covers the supply of forest thinning and the smaller sections from felled 30+ year old trees, often by West Fraser’s own harvesting
UK TIMBER IMPORTS DIP SLIGHTLY
Timber and panel product imports saw a decrease in volumes during the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year, the latest TDUK statistics show.
T
otal timber imports reached 4.76 million sq m in the first six months of 2025, down 2.9% from 4.90 million sq m 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 sq m 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 sq m 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.
MDF volume fall
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.
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-
October 2025
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net
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.” BMJ
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teams, but also the sourcing of the waste wood like pallets and timber from demolition, which makes up 68% of its particleboard product. Turner adds: “West Fraser is very proud of our due diligence systems. We have taken them to a whole new level. We go the extra mile on sustainability, with a very strong commitment to legislation. Before our launch last year, almost nobody knew what a polygon was in terms of the forest map at a digital scale. Now 100% of the UK suppliers we deal with are signed up to it.” BMJ
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