Builders Merchants Journal – BMJ Publishing to Builders Merchants and the UK merchanting industry for more than 95 years
UK timber and panel product imports remained below last year’s levels during the first half of 2026 according to the latest statistics from Timber Development UK (TDUK).
The combined volume of the UK’s main timber and panel product imports was 3.9% lower in H1 2026 than during the same period in 2025.
Prices also changed during H1. Softwood prices increased overall following rises during Q1, they fell back during Q2 while still remaining above year-earlier levels.
TDUK’s latest figures also show that UK timber and panel exports, although small compared with imports, have been on a growth path over recent years.
Nick Boulton, head of technical and trade policy at Timber Development UK, said: “The first half of 2026 presents a mixed picture for UK timber imports, but the headline position is that overall volumes remain weak and below the levels seen in previous years.
“Exports remain tiny in comparison with the volumes of timber and panels imported into the UK, but they are a valuable proportion of the output from UK-based producers and have shown good volume growth over recent years. The 24% increase in softwood exports during the first half of 2026 continues that growth path, while the 46% rise in MDF exports is another positive feature within the latest figures.”
TDUK members can sign in and read the full report on the TDUK website.
