The gap between 2021 volumes and 2022 volumes of timber imports in the UK started to close in November, with imports reaching more regular winter totals.
The reduced difference between 2021 and 2022 was seen in the softwood category, where a 182,000 m³ gap in October was reduced to 72,000 m³ in November.
Although, overall imports in 2022 have been lower than the records set last year, with totals from January-November 2.4 million m³ lower than the same period in 2021.
In November, the difference in total volumes between 2021 and 2022 was 14% compared to 22% in October and 21% in September; only hardwood imports grew by 13% in 2022 compared to last year.
These more regular volumes are due to reduced winter demand in previous years rather than increased volumes this year, with the timber market often slowing down for the festive season.