The contrasting fortunes of solid wood and panels imports were brought into sharper focus in the latest statistics published by the Timber Trade Federation.

For the first 10 months of 2012, solid wood imports were nearly 5% higher than the same period in 2011, while imports of panel products were down almost 11%.

The Federation said this resulted in a marginal decrease by volume overall of 0.6%. Between January and October last year total imports were nearly 36,000m3 lower.

The figures show softwood imports rose 5% and hardwood by 4%. However, plywood was down 5%, MDF 14%, particleboard 16% and OSB 21%.

Average prices for imported softwood fell by around 4% and hardwood by 2%. However, hardwood plywood prices rose by 2% following a fairly flat period and softwood plywood continued an upward trend with a further 5% increase in 2012.

Latvia and Finland continue to jostle for the second largest softwood supplying country, each accounting for 131%, while Sweden boosted its position three percentage points over 2011 tot 49%. Ireland increased its market share by 16% to suppy 7% of imports, while Russia's share fell by 16% and Germany's by 14% Italy and France exported less hardwood to the UK while Malaysia, Germany and Cameroon increased sales. The US was up slightly to remain at 29% of the market.

A major feature of the plywood market last year was the sharply lower volume of hardwood plywood imported from China. Overall volume was 30% lower with all the leading countries, except Uruguay exporting less.

Source:Timber Trade Journal Online

Posted and edited by Riona, Hanbao News Department

Contact: rionach@cltimber.com