Summary

The latest Timber Development UK (TDUK) statistics show record hardwood volumes were imported in May 2022.

Key Information

Overall import volumes for hardwood were up 25% in the period running from January to May 2022, relative to the same period in 2021.

This increase in hardwood volumes has largely been driven by Latvia and France, with their totals growing 110% and 82% respectively.

Tropical hardwoods have also seen growth, up 44%, with Cameroonian volumes leading in this category, increasing by 4,081m³ in 2022.

Overall timber volumes were also high in May 2022, as volumes climbed over the million m³ mark for the first time since September 2021.

This growth in the month was driven by higher volumes of softwood, hardwood, plywood and particleboard compared to May 2021, only OSB and MDF volumes were lower.

Softwood imports remain 18% below the record levels seen in 2021.

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