May 18, 2006. /Lesprom Network/.  UK imports of tropical plywood continued to decline in 2005 due mainly to reductions of Brazilian, Malaysian and, particularly, Indonesian shipments, ITTO reported. Statistics from hardwood markets show that plywood imports from Brazil dropped 20% to 438 080 cubic meters (down 19% to Euro 112.9 million) in 2005. About 40% of the import volume was tropical plywood. Exports of Malaysian plywood to the UK slipped 25% to 154 412 cubic meters (down 23% to Euro 52.1 million) in 2005 while those from Indonesia tumbled 40% to 85 241 cubic meters (down 38% to Euro 32.3 million).

 

 

 

000 cubic meters

Million Euro

2004

2005

Change in %

2004

2005

Change in %

Brazil

547.0

438.1

-19.9

139.0

112.9

-18.8

China

116.7

272.7

133.6

30.8

66.1

114.2

Finland

211.0

241.0

14.2

85.6

97.8

14.3

Malaysia

205.6

154.4

-24.9

67.6

52.1

-22.9

Indonesia

142.1

85.2

-40.0

52.2

32.3

-38.1

Russia

61.0

81.0

32.7

17.2

19.1

11.3

Others

310.9

330.4

6.3

102.0

106.6

4.4

Total

1 594.4

1 602.8

0.5

494.4

486.8

-1.5

 

 

In contrast, UK plywood imports from Finland and, particularly, from China soared in 2005. UK imports of Chinese plywood surged 134% last year to 272 681 cubic meters (up 114% to Euro 66.1 million). UK imports from Finland rose 14% to 241 039 cubic meters, worth Euro 97.8 million for an average unit value of Euro 406 per cubic meters compared with the much cheaper Chinese plywood (average unit value Euro 242 per cubic meters).

 

The market shares held by these countries on a volume basis in 2005 were: Brazil 27% (down from 34% in 2004), China 17% (up from 7%), Finland 15% (up from 13%), Malaysia 10% (down from 13%) and Indonesia 5% (down from 9%). However, recent statistics show a decline in UK imports of Chinese plywood (due to allegations of illegal log use) and a recovery in Malaysian plywood imports (favoured by 3.5% import duty as opposed to 7% for Indonesian and Chinese products). UK imports of Indonesian and Brazilian plywood continue to fall in 2006.