THE UK has been overtaken as the world's second-largest net importer of timber - but remains inside the top three globally. 

A total of $11.7 billion (approximately £9.7 bn) worth of wood was brought into the country during 2021, with only China and the USA importing more in that time. Around $2.7 bn (approx. £2.2 bn) was exported by British firms.

The previous year saw imports total £8.5 bn, with America's rise from eighth to second-largest net importer behind the UK's 2021 fall. It still means the UK once again imported more timber than the likes of Japan, Canada and Brazil. 

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In terms of volume, there was generally a year-on-year drop across most import categories, including sawnwood, while exports remained broadly similar in 2021 compared to 2020. 

These statistics are outlined in Forest Research's latest Forestry Facts and Figures document, which has just been published for 2023. 

Other facts revealed in the research include: 

  • 12,390 hectares of publicly-funded restocking were reported in 2022/23 (a year-on-year decrease 19 per cent) 
  • 59 per cent of softwood timber came from private land (down from 62 per cent the previous year) 
  • There was a 13 per cent decrease in sawnwood and a 1 per cent decrease in wood-based panels production between 2021 and 2022 
  • The Coniferous Standing Sales Price Index was 31 per cent lower in real terms in the year to March 2023, compared with the previous year
  • Around 20,000 jobs are provided by the forestry sector 
  • Projected carbon sequestration from registered Woodland Carbon Code projects increased by 23 per cent between 2022 and 2023

The timber import figures come at the same time industry research has highlighted 'growing market stability following three volatile years'.

In the softwood sector, year-on-year volatility has slowed, with the difference in H1 totals between 2023/2022 just -5 per cent compared to -17 per cent in 2022/2021 and +49 per cent in 2021/2020.
Softwood imports from January to June 2023 stood at 3,217,000m3, closely resembling pre-COVID levels seen in H1 2019. 

Nick Boulton, head of technical and trade at the TDUK, which complied the data,  said: "The first six months of 2023 closely resemble the patterns seen pre-2020, suggesting stability has finally returned to the market. 

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“Brexit, Covid-19, and the Russia-Ukraine war created a perfect storm for our industry, with huge import fluctuations seen in 2020, 2021 and 2022. Barring another major market shock, we are unlikely to see these dramatic peaks and troughs return anytime soon."

For the full facts and figures, visit Forest Research's website. A free hardcopy is also available to order.