Timber sector must unite and demand investment in construction

That's according to TDUK's Nick Boulton, who believes increasing wood's use in building projects is vital if the UK is to hit its net-zero targets. 

As of the most recent figures, only 9 per cent of all new homes in England are timber framed, while the figure is far higher north of the border at 92 per cent.

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Nick, TDUK head of technical and trade, said: "Now the General Election is over and we have a new Government, the timber industry must unite and continue to call for the much-needed investment the construction industry needs in order to return to growth.

“It is encouraging to hear that new Chancellor Rachel Reeves is already signalling the need for investment in construction and infrastructure to help stimulate economic growth, but time will tell whether this new Government will be able to drive through this much-needed investment. 

"TDUK will continue to lobby and help the new Government understand why timber is such an important material to help the UK achieve its construction and net-zero targets.” 

Nick's comments come to mark the release of TDUK's latest timber import figures, which show the market enjoyed a stronger month in April 2024, with volumes 4.7 per cent higher than those in April 2023. 

Although imports of most timber products still remain below those seen last year, April has reduced the deficit gap between 2024 and 2023 to 109,000m3, down from 150,000m3 at the end of Q1.

This shift has moved all product groups into single-digit reductions, with the exception of plywood imports that are 2 per cent higher in 2024 to date.
In softwood imports, for example, the value of imports in the first four months of 2024 was 7 per cent lower than during the same period in 2023, caused by a 4 per cent reduction in volume and a 3 per cent fall in the average price of a basket of softwood imports.

Nick said he was encouraged by Chancellor Rachel Reeves' positive attitude to construction, but time will tell if it produces results (Image: Justin Tallis/PA Wire)

For plywoods, softwood plywood imports experienced probably the greatest change in sources of supply for many years. Volume in the month was around 5,000m3 higher than in April 2023, with Brazil leading the increases by supplying nearly 3,500m3 more in the month. China and Chile also supplied more, as did Uruguay and Canada, though there was a substantial fall in volume from Finland. 
Overall for the quarter, the value of all plywood imports was still 10 per cent below the level in the first four months of 2023. Softwood plywood values were 18 per cent lower and hardwood plywood values remained 7 per cent down.

Nick added: “Although overall import volumes remain below those in 2023, it’s encouraging to see the deficit continuing to fall, with all changes in volume imports now down to single figures. 

"The UK’s poor overall economic performance during Q1 of 2024, and further falls in housebuilding starts, have naturally had an impact, as have the continuing uncertainty and low consumer confidence that always impacts on the housing market and the important RMI sector."