Timber imports started to grow

The latest study by Timber Development UK shows that timber imports increased slightly in the third quarter compared with the previous quarters of 2025. Nevertheless, volumes since the beginning of the year remain lower than the figures recorded in 2024. What are the reasons for this situation, and how will it develop in the near future?

The main source: Timber imports nudge upwards

The current situation on the market

The latest Timber Development UK statistics show that total imports for the first nine months of 2025 reached 7.01 million cubic metres. It`s approximately 2.1% less than the 7.15 million cubic metres recorded over the same period in 2024. However, this gap has narrowed compared with the first half of the year, when volumes were down by 2.9%.

This slight increase was driven by the need to replenish stocks following the strong construction activity seen in the second quarter, TDUK reported. This resulted in a more positive third quarter for imports, with volumes higher than in the third quarter of 2024 across softwood, hardwood, plywood, OSB and engineered wood product sectors. Total imports for the third quarter were only 0.2% lower than in Q3 2024, with a notable decline in MDF imports preventing overall volumes from moving into year-on-year growth.

How will the timber market move in the near future?

According to the latest NSD softwood import forecast, import volumes are expected to fall by around 3% in 2025 to approximately 5.62 million cubic metres, before increasing by 3.7% in 2026 to around 5.83 million cubic metres.

TDUK head of technical and trade Nick Boulton said: “The latest timber import data for Q1–Q3 2025 does indeed show a modest improvement, albeit from a very low base, with several product categories showing signs of growth, particularly in the third quarter. This is most likely restocking following the heightened construction activity we saw mid-year. Nevertheless, the market remains challenging, and overall volumes are still below last year’s levels. The modest improvement is positive, but it underlines just how sensitive demand remains across the sector. We will need to see sustained stability in 2026 before confidence can fully return to the market.”

Fencyx, as one of the leaders of the UK building industry, reacts cautiously to these statistics. We hope that the government will take all necessary actions, and that the situation will stabilise and improve over time.

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