Builders Merchants Journal – BMJ Publishing to Builders Merchants and the UK merchanting industry for more than 95 years
Timber and panel product imports saw a slight decrease in volumes during the first half of 2025 according to the latest Timber Development UK (TDUK) report.
Total imports reached 4.76 million m³ in the first six months of 2025, down 2.9% from 4.90 million m³ in the first half of 2024. The bulk of this decline was driven by weaker demand in the second quarter of the year, with Q2 volumes 159,000 m³ lower than in Q2 2024, outweighing a small increase of 16,000 m³ in the first quarter.
The data also highlighted a significant movement in pricing.
TDUK head of technical and trade, Nick Boulton, said: “After a relatively steady start to 2025, timber import volumes softened in the second quarter, resulting in a modest decline overall of just under 3% compared to last year. We’re seeing a mixed picture across product categories: softwood, hardwood, and MDF volumes have eased back, while engineered wood products and other panel products are enjoying strong growth, reflecting ongoing shifts in market preferences.”
“Rising softwood prices and subdued levels of housebuilding add further complexity to the outlook, but the strong performance of engineered wood underlines its growing role in UK construction and manufacturing. TDUK will continue to monitor these market trends closely and support members in navigating this evolving trading environment.”
