UK imports of all tropical wood products in Chapter 44 of the Harmonised System of product codes (excluding wood for energy) declined 21% to USD417 million in 2020. This is by far the lowest level since 2004, and probably for many years prior to that.

The downturn in imports of HS 44 wood products was much greater from the tropics than other regions.

Total UK imports of HS 44 wood products from all countries fell only 2% to USD5.02 billion in 2020. UK imports from the EU actually increased 1.5% to USD3.35 billion in 2020, the gain partly explained by stock building prior to the UK’s exit from the single market on 31st December 2020. Imports from China fell 6% to USD726 million while imports from other non-tropical countries declined 4% to USD544 million.

In 2020, UK import value of all the main HS 44 tropical wood product groups declined sharply, including tropical joinery (-8% to USD155 million), tropical plywood (-31% to USD130 million), tropical sawnwood (-22% to USD75 million), and tropical mouldings/decking (-35% to USD17 million).