Softwood import volumes remained marginally 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, according to the latest Timber Development UK market statistics.
The 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 the disruption linked to conflict in the Middle East. The impacts on shipping and supply chains will only become clearer as the year progresses, but it is expected higher fuel costs and delayed shipments from the far east are the most likely.
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 similarly unchanged overall, although the origin of those imports shifted during the quarter, with stronger volumes arriving from Spain and Cameroon.
Plywood imports recorded one of the sharpest declines over 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 that 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, with the UK becoming the second largest importer globally 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 that also continues to show some 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 among product groups is an indicator that the market is struggling to stay in balance, with much spot purchasing and everyone reluctant to commit to significant stocks.
“At the same time, the statistics show 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 the difficult economic conditions and continued pressure on construction activity. It’s also as yet unclear what impact the Iran War has already had on the timber sector, and may continue to have over the coming months, but fuel surcharges and delays in shipments from the far east will head the list.”
