UK timber imports remain subdued in H1 2026

UK timber imports remain subdued in H1 2026
by Jennie Ward|07 September 26|Build, Supply
UK timber and panel product imports remained below last year’s levels during the first half of 2026, with weaker softwood and plywood volumes weighing on the market, according to the latest statistics from Timber Development UK (TDUK). The combined volume of the UK’s main timber and panel product imports was...
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Construction activity to fall significantly in 2026
by Jennie Ward|27 July 26|Build, Supply
The CPA’s forecast for construction output has been downgraded further in its Summer forecast, published today, due to the lagged impacts of the Middle East conflict that are starting to pass through to both the demand and cost sides of the UK economy. Construction output year-to-date so far in 2026...
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Confidence and rising costs remain challenging, says first-ever TDUK Market Briefing
by Jennie Ward|03 July 26|Build, Statistics, Supply
Timber Development UK (TDUK) has published its first-ever Market Briefing, bringing together economic analysis, market data and insight from businesses across the supply chain to provide a detailed picture of the issues shaping the timber industry during the first half of 2026. Drawing on contributions from timber merchants, sawmills, manufacturers and...
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Softwood imports remain resilient despite mixed Q1 market performance
by Jennie Ward|08 June 26|Build, Statistics, Supply
Softwood import volumes remained marginally ahead of the same period last year during the first quarter of 2026, despite continued pressure across parts of the UK timber and panel products market, according to the latest Timber Development UK market statistics. The combined import volumes of the main timber and panel...
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Merchant sales down -8.1% year-on-year in Q1 2026
by Jennie Ward|04 June 26|Build, Supply
The latest Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) report reveals that builders’ merchants’ like-for-like value sales for Q1 2026, adjusted to remove the impact of trading days, were -3.2% lower than Q1 2025. Like-for-like volume sales were down -8.1%, with product prices increasing +5.4%.
 
With no difference in trading days, unadjusted...
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Building a stronger workforce
by Jennie Ward|10 May 26|Build, Policy, Supply
The Department for Work & Pensions is setting out to work with trade associations and their members to tackle skills gaps and support more people getting into work and starting meaningful careers.   The Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) is making a concerted effort to work more closely with...
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The Spring 2026 issue of Supplying Timber magazine is out now!
by Jennie Ward|09 April 26|Build, Supply
The Spring 2026 edition of Supplying Timber has been published, bringing together the latest updates, market data, and technical insight for the UK timber industry.  The industry is continuing to navigate very real economic and industry pressures, as well as ongoing uncertainty around the impact global events will have on...
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Have your say on CPA State of Trade Survey
by Jennie Ward|06 April 26|Build, Supply
The Construction Products Association's (CPA) State of Trade survey for Q1 2026 is now open. The CPA is asking construction companies and TDUK members to complete the survey and have their say on the state of trade in your sub-sector during the January-March period of 2026. Your answers will help...
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Strait of Hormuz
Why conflict in the Middle East will ripple into UK timber supply chains
by Liam Macandrew|10 March 26|Supply
In this article, we explore how the Middle East crisis could once again reshape the UK timber trade, as the escalating situation begins to close crucial shipping lanes, disrupt energy markets, and threatens to spill into a wider regional conflict. The phrase ‘unprecedented disruption’ over the past six years has...
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UK timber imports fall 2.2% in 2025 despite some growth areas
by Jennie Ward|06 March 26|Supply
Total UK timber and panel product imports reached 9.1 million m³ in 2025, representing a 2.2% decline compared with 2024, according to the latest Timber Development UK (TDUK) figures. While the overall figure indicates an overall reduction in volumes, the data also highlights a number of areas where imports grew during the...
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