Wood in the rough market in the United Kingdom, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The UK market for wood in the rough saw a contraction in physical volume from 7 655 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 6 372 thousand tonnes in 2023, with a temporary rebound to 7 550 thousand tonnes in 2021. In value terms, market size fluctuated, peaking at $1 175 million US dollars in 2021 despite lower physical volume, indicating significant price effects. During 2020, global trade in preservative-treated coniferous wood remained substantial at $452 million, which helped sustain the market's value during a period of volume decline.

State-owned forestry enterprises, including Forestry England, Forestry and Land Scotland, and Natural Resources Wales, play a major role by supplying 35% to 45% of all timber harvested in Great Britain. By early 2025, timber prices increased sharply, with the spruce sawlog price index rising 40.4% in real terms over six months and average softwood sawlog prices jumping from £55.98 to £77.55 per cubic metre, reflecting tightened market conditions.

Production wood in the rough in the United Kingdom

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of wood in the rough, 2018-2021

World map of production of wood in the rough, 2018-2021

Following two years of decline, the United Kingdom's production of wood in the rough increased in 2021. The country produced 7 085 K t that year, marking a year-over-year growth of 4.3%. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production decreased by 2.3%, which translates to an average annual decline of 0.8%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2020 at 6 793 K t, while the sharpest drop occurred in 2019 with a 3.3% decrease.

Annual dynamics of production in the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021, K t

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

The value of wood in the rough production in the United Kingdom rose for the second year in a row. In 2021, output reached 1 058 M $ US, showing a significant increase of 21.5% compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production grew by 9.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 840 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 13.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports wood in the rough from the United Kingdom

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, the United Kingdom's exports of wood in the rough rebounded in 2021. The country exported 281.3 K t that year, representing a sharp increase of 54.2% compared to 2020. From 2018 to 2021, exports rose by 23%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.2%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 182.4 K t, while the largest decrease occurred in 2019 with a 10.9% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Between 2018 and 2021, Ireland was the dominant partner in the export structure for wood in the rough by volume, consistently accounting for 90.7% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

The market showed considerable volatility during this period. Export values peaked in 2021 and reached their lowest point in 2020, with a 1.8-fold difference between these years. In 2021, wood in the rough exports from the United Kingdom totaled 42.0 M $ US, up by 79.7% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 23.4 M $ US, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 20.1% decrease.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Ireland led the export structure in value terms, holding an 85.6% share of total flows. Other markets contributed relatively modest shares.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2021

Imports wood in the rough to the United Kingdom

Imports in kind, K t

In 2021, the United Kingdom imported 746.7 K t of wood in the rough, an increase of 11.3% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports grew by 17.4%, equating to an average annual rate of 5.5%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 805.9 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 26.7%. The most significant decline occurred in 2020 with a 16.8% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021, K t

During 2018-2021, Ireland, Latvia, and Sweden were the top sources for wood in the rough imports by volume, accounting for 51.7%, 17.1%, and 7.0% of imports, respectively. Together, they made up 75.8% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

The United Kingdom's imports of wood in the rough increased for the third consecutive year in 2021. Imports totaled 158.7 M $ US that year, up by 28.5% compared to the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, imports surged by 63.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 17.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, Ireland, Latvia, and Russia were the leading sources for wood in the rough imports by value, with shares of 29.7%, 20.7%, and 13.9%, respectively. Combined, they represented 64.3% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2021