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Wood imports to the UK in 2017 included 7.9 million cubic metres of sawnwood (a 16% increase from the previous year), 3.4 million cubic metres of wood-based panels (1% increase) and 6.9 million tonnes of wood pellets (2% increase) (Table 3.4).  A total of 5.6 million tonnes of paper was imported into the UK in 2017, a decrease of 5% from 2016.

Table 3.4 UK import quantities, 2008-20171

Year (thousand m3)   (thousand tonnes)    
  Sawn wood5 Wood-based panels4 Other wood2 Wood pellets3 Paper Pulp Recovered paper Total pulp & paper
2008 5886 3389 1921 .. 7403 1344 74 8821
2009 5240 2500 821 45 7018 940 94 8052
2010 5699 2701 1071 551 7254 1094 115 8462
2011 4936 2827 985 1015 6887 1009 177 8073
2012 5179 2650 965 1487 6631 1021 160 7812
2013 5488 2964 1267 3432 5929 1100 184 7213
2014 6425 3260 1329 4773 5949 1234 136 7319
2015 6323 3215 1378 6573 6032 1223 305 7560
2016 6794 3410 1121 6782 5876 1092 125 7092
2017 7883 3443 1133 6885 5604 1081 107 6792

Source: UK overseas trade statistics (HM Revenue & Customs), industry associations

Notes:

1. There are reliability concerns for some of these figures, particularly for individual products (see Sources chapter).

2. Includes roundwood, wood charcoal, chips, particles, residues and from 2017, includes recovered wood. Excludes wood pellets from 2009.

3. .. Denotes data not available (wood pellets included within ‘Other wood’ category before 2009).

4. Includes veneer sheets.

5. Sawnwood includes sleepers from 2017.

Additional resources

Sources chapter: Trade

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