Hardwood import volumes have seen a substantial increase in Q2 2022, rising by 23.8% compared to Q2 2021, according to the latest TDUK statistics.

This import growth has been driven by temperate Latvian species which have grown by 10% since 2021. Latvian species now account for a quarter of all UK hardwood imports.

Plywood imports have also seen growth, albeit smaller, with volumes up 6% compared to last year.

This growth has ‘bucked’ the overall downward trend, with total UK timber imports down 12% compared to 2021.

This is due to reductions in softwood imports, with volumes at 580,000m³ – an 18% reduction on June 2021.