19.06.2014
In the first four months of 2014, the volume of tropical hardwood imports (round wood, sawn wood, mouldings and decking, veneers, plywood ) fell into both Belgium (-7%) and France (-5%), the two largest volume European destinations for these products. On the contrary, tropical wood imports into the Netherlands were up 5% in round wood equivalent volume terms in the first four months of 2014.
After many years of very depressed activity, the Dutch construction sector is now improving with architects and builders reporting better order books and turnover. While the 8% rise in UK imports of tropical hardwood products is encouraging, there are signs that tropical wood may be losing share to temperate hardwood in this market during 2014
