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Wood imports to the UK in 2018 included 7.2 million cubic metres of sawnwood (a 6% decrease from the previous year), 3.9 million cubic metres of wood-based panels (2% increase) and 8.0 million tonnes of wood pellets (16% increase) (Table 3.4).  A total of 5.5 million tonnes of paper was imported into the UK in 2018, a decrease of 2% from 2017.

Table 3.4 UK import quantities, 2009-20181

Year (thousand m3)   (thousand tonnes)    
  Sawn wood4 Wood-based panels3 Other wood2 Wood pellets Paper Pulp Recovered paper Total pulp & paper
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 7663 3800 1379 6885 5610 1081 107 6798
2018 7213 3878 1766 7992 5525 1066 120 6711

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.

3. Includes veneer sheets.

4. Sawnwood includes sleepers from 2017.

Additional resources

Sources chapter: Trade

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