Softwood imports hold firm despite mixed Q1 timber market

According to the latest Timber Development UK market statistics, softwood import volumes remained slightly 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

Combined import volumes of the main timber and panel products fell by just 1.3% in Q1 2026 compared with Q1 2025, with some categories performing strongly while others recorded significant declines.

The report also notes that Q1 trading was largely unaffected by disruption linked to conflict in the Middle East. The impact on shipping and supply chains will become clearer as the year progresses, but higher fuel costs and delays to shipments from the Far East are expected to be the most likely consequences.

Softwood imports rose by 0.9% in Q1, with volumes reaching 1.412 million m³. The report found that increased volumes from Finland and the Republic of Ireland helped offset lower imports from Sweden, Latvia, Germany and Norway. The value of softwood imports increased by 4.2%, driven by higher average prices and growth in sawn softwood imports.

Hardwood imports remained largely stable, rising by just 0.2% compared with Q1 2025. Tropical hardwood volumes were also broadly unchanged, although the source of those imports shifted during the quarter, with stronger volumes arriving from Spain and Cameroon.

Plywood imports recorded one of the sharpest declines of the quarter, falling by 13.4%. This was largely due to a 47.4% reduction in softwood plywood imports, primarily linked to substantially lower volumes arriving from Brazil.

In contrast, hardwood plywood imports increased by 5.3% year-on-year, supported by continued growth in imports from China, which accounted for 77% of the UK’s hardwood plywood imports during the quarter.

Panel products delivered a mixed performance overall. Particleboard imports increased by 3.7%, while MDF imports continued their recent growth trend, rising by 11.7% in volume terms. OSB imports, meanwhile, fell by 15%.

The report also highlighted varying fortunes across engineered wood products. LVL imports increased by 27.5% in Q1 2026, making the UK the world’s second-largest importer of European-produced LVL, behind the USA. CLT imports, by comparison, were down by almost 59%, while glulam and I-beam imports also recorded modest declines.

Price trends showed signs of softening across several product groups following the high levels seen during 2025. Softwood prices remained above 2025 levels, but monthly increases slowed considerably during Q1 2026. Hardwood prices were broadly stable, while both hardwood and softwood plywood prices continued to fall sharply.

Nick Boulton, Head of Technical and Trade Policy at Timber Development UK, said: “These latest Q1 figures reflect a market that remains challenging but continues to show resilience in key product areas. Softwood volumes have held up well, hardwood imports remain stable, and MDF and particleboard both recorded growth during the quarter.

“The variability across product groups indicates that the market is struggling to maintain balance, with significant spot purchasing and widespread reluctance to commit to large stock holdings.

“At the same time, the statistics demonstrate how varied demand currently is across different timber and panel product categories, particularly within plywood and engineered wood products. The overall market picture remains relatively stable despite difficult economic conditions and continued pressure on construction activity.

“It is also still unclear what impact the conflict in the Middle East has had on the timber sector, and may continue to have over the coming months, but fuel surcharges and delays to shipments from the Far East are likely to be among the most significant consequences.”

TDUK members can sign in to read the full report on the TDUK website: www.timberdevelopment.uk.