UK timber and wood-based panel imports remained subdued during the first half of 2026, reflecting weak construction activity, cautious stock management and lower demand across several key wood product categories.

According to the latest market statistics, combined imports of the UK`s main timber and panel products were 3.9% lower in H1 2026 compared with the same period of 2025.

Solid wood imports declined by 4.7%, while wood-based panel imports were down by 2.5%.

The results underline the continuing weakness of the UK timber market, although individual product categories show significant differences in demand.

Softwood imports fall almost 5%

Softwood remains by far the largest component of UK timber imports, accounting for more than 60% of total timber and panel volumes.

During the first six months of 2026, UK softwood imports declined by 4.9% year-on-year to approximately 2.898 million m3.

The decline contrasts with the first quarter, when softwood imports had still been marginally above the previous year.

Import activity improved temporarily in March and April, with April total timber volumes around 4% higher than a year earlier.

However, the recovery was short-lived. Total import volumes fell by around 8% year-on-year in May and by approximately 3% in June.

The figures suggest that UK timber buyers remain cautious about rebuilding inventories while demand from construction remains uncertain.

Weak housing construction continues to limit timber demand

The performance of softwood lumber and construction timber remains closely linked to the UK housing market.

Housing starts have been historically weak during recent years, limiting demand for structural timber, roof components, timber frame systems, flooring, joinery and other construction-related wood products.

The Construction Products Association expects UK housing starts to decline further during 2026, adding to the pressure on timber merchants and importers.

This weaker construction environment helps explain why importers continue to operate with relatively cautious purchasing and inventory strategies.

For international sawmills supplying the UK, the key issue is therefore not simply timber availability but whether British construction demand can generate sufficient consumption to support higher import volumes.

Plywood imports record the sharpest decline

Plywood was one of the weakest product groups during H1 2026.

Total UK plywood imports fell by 13.6% compared with the first half of 2025.

Within this category:

- hardwood plywood imports declined by 7.4%
- softwood plywood imports fell by 28.8%

Lower hardwood plywood volumes were mainly associated with reduced supply from China.

The sharp contraction in softwood plywood was largely driven by Brazil, where shipments to the UK fell by around 60,000 m3, or 39%.

The decline illustrates how shifts in both demand and international sourcing can significantly affect the UK wood products market.

MDF, particleboard and OSB outperform the wider market

Not all segments of the timber and wood panel market weakened.

Imports of particleboard increased by 4.6%, supported by higher volumes from Germany, Belgium and Luxembourg.

OSB imports increased by approximately 2.3%.

The strongest performance among the major panel categories came from MDF, where imports increased by 13.1% compared with H1 2025.

Chinese MDF volumes approximately doubled year-on-year.

This divergence suggests that UK demand is shifting between product categories rather than declining uniformly across the entire wood market.

For panel producers and traders, understanding these changes in the product mix is increasingly important for sales planning and inventory management.

Engineered wood imports show mixed performance

Imports of engineered wood products declined by approximately 13% overall.

However, the results varied considerably between individual products:

- CLT imports fell by 60.7%
- glulam imports declined by 17%
- LVL imports increased by 8.5%
- I-beam imports remained broadly unchanged

The sharp fall in cross-laminated timber (CLT) is notable given the growing European interest in timber construction.

However, short-term import statistics can be influenced by the timing and scale of individual construction projects, particularly for engineered wood products used in larger developments.

The increase in LVL imports indicates that demand for some structural engineered wood products remains resilient.

Timber prices also shifted during H1

Price trends added another layer of complexity to the market.

UK softwood prices increased during the first quarter but moved lower during Q2, while still remaining above the levels recorded a year earlier.

Plywood prices generally declined.

The average price of Chinese hardwood plywood was approximately 8% lower, while Brazilian softwood plywood recorded an average annual price reduction of around 12%.

However, the decline in hardwood plywood prices stopped during May and June as imports of lower-priced Chinese material fell substantially.

For timber importers and distributors, this highlights the importance of monitoring both wood prices and trade volumes. Lower import volumes do not necessarily translate directly into lower market prices if the product mix and supplier structure change.

UK timber exports provide a more positive signal

While imports remained weak, some UK wood product exports performed considerably better.

UK softwood exports increased by approximately 24% during the first six months of 2026 compared with H1 2025.

Ireland remained the dominant destination, accounting for around 93% of British softwood exports.

MDF exports increased by approximately 46%, reversing the declining trend of previous years, while particleboard exports were slightly higher.

Although UK exports remain much smaller than imports, the figures indicate opportunities for domestic producers in regional markets.

What does the H1 data mean for the UK timber market?

The first half of 2026 presents a mixed but still relatively weak picture.

The headline decline in imports reflects continued caution in construction and timber distribution, but the growth in MDF, particleboard, OSB and LVL shows that demand remains active in selected segments.

For timber suppliers, sawmills and international exporters, several indicators will be important during the second half of 2026:

- UK housing starts and construction output
- softwood import volumes
- lumber and timber prices
- plywood sourcing from China and Brazil
- MDF and OSB demand
- engineered wood construction activity
- inventory levels at timber merchants
- exchange rates and transport costs

A stronger recovery in UK residential construction would be one of the most important catalysts for higher demand for softwood timber, structural lumber, plywood and engineered wood products.

Until then, timber importers are likely to remain selective about inventory and purchasing commitments.

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Sources

Timber Development UK - UK Timber Market Statistics
TDUK market statistics provide the underlying data on UK timber and panel product imports, including softwood, hardwood, plywood, MDF, OSB, particleboard and engineered wood products. Earlier 2026 reports also highlighted weak construction demand and cautious inventory management across the UK timber supply chain.
https://timberdevelopment.uk/news_themes/statistics/

Furniture & Joinery Production - “UK timber imports remain subdued in H1 2026”
Industry coverage of the latest Timber Development UK figures. The report confirms that combined timber and panel imports fell 3.9% in H1 2026, with softwood down 4.9%, plywood down 13.6% and stronger performance from MDF, OSB and particleboard.
https://furnitureproduction.net/news/uk-timber-imports-remain-subdued-in-h1-2026

Timber Development UK - Softwood imports remain resilient despite mixed Q1 market performance
The Q1 report provides additional context on the early 2026 market, when softwood imports remained slightly ahead year-on-year despite weaker construction activity and volatile performance across plywood and engineered wood categories.
https://timberdevelopment.uk/news_themes/imports/

WoodBusinessPortal.com - The Wood Market in 2026: Romania and Europe
Analysis of European wood prices, demand, lumber production, imports, exports, construction activity and the outlook for the wider timber industry.
https://woodbusinessportal.com/newsdetail-en-2598

WoodBusinessPortal.com - Log Prices Remain High Across Parts of Europe
Analysis of elevated European log prices, cautious demand for lumber and the resulting pressure on sawmill and wood-processing margins.
https://woodbusinessportal.com/newsdetail-en-2604