Bushes and panel import volumes reached 2.26 million cubic metres in Q1 this yr, consistent with the most recent Bushes Construction UK (TDUK) figures.
The 0.6% year-on-year expansion used to be the primary building up noticed since 2021.
Volumes fell 1% in January 2025 and 9% in February, however a 13% building up in volumes in March 2025 led to cumulative expansion for the quarter as a complete.
Following the instability noticed between 2020 and 2022 – with the covid pandemic in the beginning suppressing financial job after which unleashing a rebound – charges of expansion and decline have since steadied.
Most of the primary trees and panel merchandise sectors expanded all over Q1, with sturdy expansion in volumes realised by way of OSB, plywood and engineered picket droducts (EWP). Softwood imports additionally grew by way of just about 2%. The relief in MDF volumes noticed in Q1 2025 is being measured in opposition to a robust efficiency in Q1 2024.
Sawn and planed pine import volumes greater strongly within the early months of 2025. Pine volumes have been 32% upper in Q1 2025 than in Q1 2024 – an building up of greater than 95,000 cubic metres. Maximum of this building up got here Sweden, however expansion used to be additionally recorded from Norway, Germany, the Netherlands and Estonia. Reasonable costs of imported pine additionally rose by way of 4% in Q1 2025. In the meantime, whitewood import volumes have been 10% decrease.
General softwood import values rose by way of 12% year-on-year, supported by way of a 2% building up in quantity and a ten% upward thrust in reasonable costs to £268 in step with cubic metre. Planed softwood values greater by way of 9%, whilst sawn softwood jumped 16%. Redwood values soared by way of 37% and blended species by way of 24%, whilst whitewood values remained flat.
Hardwood import volumes declined by way of 2.8%, although key providers like america (+8%) and France (+4%) expanded their shipments. Tropical hardwoods grew just about 3% in quantity, led by way of Cameroon (+17%) and the DRC (+58%). By contrast, temperate hardwood volumes fell by way of 4%, pushed by way of an 18% relief from Estonia. Reasonable hardwood costs rose by way of 4.5% to £811 in step with cubic metre, with blended species appearing the sharpest upward thrust at 11%.
Plywood imports have been blended; hardwood plywood volumes edged up 1.1%, led by way of China and Malaysia, although values fell 1% because of decrease costs. Softwood plywood values surged by way of 34% at the again of a 25% upward thrust in quantity and a 7% value building up, with Brazil supplying 80% of UK imports.
Particleboard imports have been strong in quantity, however noticed an 11% drop in price because of a 12% fall in reasonable value. Provide shifts incorporated losses of -25% from Portugal and good points from Spain (+12%) and Luxembourg.
General, Q1 2025 exceeded the field’s low expectancies, TDUK mentioned, with stronger-than-expected volumes and a transparent upward motion in pricing, particularly throughout softwood and softwood plywood.
TDUK head of technical and business Nick Boulton mentioned: “Whilst demanding situations stay around the development panorama, it’s encouraging to look import expansion and forecasts pointing to enhancements within the housing and RMI sectors – each key markets for trees. After a hard few years, indicators of restoration in new housing and the hope of a persevered momentum in RMI give reason for wary optimism however we concern won’t come quickly sufficient for some throughout the sector.
“Softwood imports have intently reflected housing output over the longer term, and with projected marketplace expansion via to 2027, the outlook for trees call for seems sure. For TDUK participants, this provides a treasured alternative to devise for slow however sustainable expansion in keeping with evolving marketplace self assurance and development job.”
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