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Like andfollow us onISSUE 706 timberandforestryenews.comMay 12, 2022Snap and win!Photo contestnow open.#rwphotocontest22Click here.Broken promise:WA forest sectorjilted on jobs,jarrah and justiceFIRST FOR FORESTRY CONSULTINGwww.margulesgroome.comSTORIES P4, 6Building a strong industry for youCAREERS / TRAINING / SAFETY / SERVICEContact us on1800 822 621
INDUSTRY NEWSNorske Skog battles to keep Tassie mill running ashigh paper costs put publishers on survival deadlinePAPER shortages fuelledby soaring electricity pricesand shipping costs could putsome Australian newspapersand magazines out ofcommission as publishersgrapple with the rising cost ofnewsprint.One of the world’s biggestpaper suppliers, Norwegianowned Norske Skog, is inthe middle renegotiatingcontracts with newspaperand magazine publishersas it battles to keep its onlyAustralian paper mill runningand profitable.However, its proposed priceincreases, which industrysources say are between30% and 40%, could provefatal to some mastheads orlead to a reduction in the sizeor number of newspapersdistributed in the lead-up tothe federal election.Tony Kendall, managingdirector of regional publishingcompany AustralianCommunity Media (ownerof The Canberra Times andNewcastle Herald, as wellas hundreds of regionalpublications), said the pricehike, scheduled for July,posed the worst crisis forthe cost of glossy paper –used for real-estate pulloutsand suburban titles – bybetween 35% and 45%.The decision was related toelectricity prices, high cost offreight shipping and reducednewsprint demand ratherthan an attempt to generatelarge profits.Proposed price increases between 30% and 40% could prove fatal to somemastheads.local publishers since WorldWar 2.“[The full price increase]will push some of ourpublications into negativeprofitability,” Mr Kendallsaid. “I think there’ll bewidespread closures. I don’tknow how independentpublishers will cope.”Norske Skog is the mainprovider of paper to thelocal publishing industry.It runs a mill in Tasmaniaand until recently operateda mill in New Zealand. TheTasmanian mill – known asBoyer – produced Australia’sfirst newsprint in 1941 andremains one of the state’sMicroPro major employers. Butindustry sources, familiarwith the position of NorskeSkog, said it had lost moneyin Australia for more than adecade and was told by itsparent company that it canonly support local publishersif it is profitable to do so.The company toldpublishers last year it plannedto increase the price ofnewsprint by about 30% andNEWSPAPERSPUSHED INTONEGATIVEPROFITABILITYAustralian CommunityMedia, the country's largestregional news publisher,is leading a Country PressAustralia campaign for animmediate cash injection tocompensate for an increasein the cost of printingnewspapers of up to 80%.The CPA has also called forongoing support in the formof tax incentives and rebatesfor newspaper advertisersand a mandated minimumamount spent by governmenton advertising in regionalnewspapers.Underlying marketconditions including Covid,the war in Ukraine, risingpower prices in Europe andglobal shipping issues haveimpacted prices more thananticipated.(With extracts from The SydneyMorning Herald).THE CHOICE IS YOURS.Following the awarding of a Global GreenRate Level A certification,MicroPro Wood Treatment Technology has recently been awarded aGoldHEALTH rating with its recently published Global GreenTag Level AProduct Health Declaration (PhD ).The GreenTag PhD is the first health transparency tool in the worldto assess human health concerns directly, rating the health impactsof a final product – and not just the hazardsof a product’s ingredients.For more information call us nowon 1800 088 809.MicroPro is a registered trademark of Koppers Inc. or its subsidiaries. MicroPro timber products are produced byindependently owned and operated wood preserving facilities. 2019 Koppers Performance Chemicals AustraliaPty Ltd. Global GreenRate, GoldHEALTH, Global GreenTag and GreenTag PhD are regsitered trademarks operatedunder licence by Global GreenTag Pty Ltd.2TIMBER & FORESTRY E-NEWS ISSUE 706 May 12, 2022
INDUSTRY NEWSGovernment’s postponement of a proposed 35pctariff on Russian imports relief for EWP tradersIncreasing shortage of European structural softwoods has sideline impact on timber supply chainsstructural timber importshortages, not only fromRussia but from Europe morebroadly, are likely to resultin a significant reduction inthe capacity of the Australiantimber supply chain to importsufficient quantities of bothengineered wood productsand solid wood softwoodstructural products for theforeseeable future.IN a ‘holding pattern’ forengineered wood importers,the federal government’sproposed additional tariff of35% on Russian imports fromApril 25 has been postponedto October 25.This has followed activeengagement between theAustralia Border Force andimporters and industrybodies.“This issue has resultedin numerous and polarisedrepresentations,” AustralianTimber Importers Federationgeneral manager John Halkettsaid.“To make it crystal clear,ATIF condemns in thestrongest possible termsRussia’s invasion of Ukraineand the atrocities committedby the Russian military,” hesaid.“We continue tobe supportive of thegovernment's economic andfinancial sanctions againstRussia and Belarus.”However, ATIF hasadvocated that shipmentsof Russian timber productspaid for and shipped in goodfaith prior to the ‘conflicttimber’ resolution on March4 should not be subject to aretrospective additional 35%import tariff.The Australia Border Forcehas now made a rulingsupporting this position.Subsequent correspondencebetween ATIF and ABF hasconfirmed that companiesimporting timber productsfrom Russia that haveconsignments presentlyin-transit and expected tobe landed at an AustraliaA shortage of LVL and other softwood structural timbers, not only fromRussia but from Europe, are likely to result in a significant reduction in thecapacity of Australia’s timber supply chain.port between April 25 andOctober 25 will not have topay the additional 35% tariff.arisen as a result of theinvasion of Ukraine.In particular, softwoodIn correspondence toATIF chairman Nils Koren,the Minister for Trade andInvestment Dan Tehanacknowledged the impacton supply chains brought onby current situation acrossCont P 5ABF has pointed out thatimporters will need evidencethat the goods were intransit, and comply with otherconditions set out in theAustralian Customs Notice2022/21.“ATIF members havebeen advised to ensuredocumentation confirmingthat timber productshipments originated fromRussia and have beenin transit is available forinspection by Australian portauthorities and officials,” MrHalkett said.The federation hasbeen in discussions withofficials from various federalgovernment departmentsabout timber product supplyconstraint realities that haveEXPLORINGOPTIONS FORDIVERSIFYINGSUPPLY CHAINSTIMBER & FORESTRY E-NEWS ISSUE 706 May 12, 20223
INDUSTRY NEWSA broken promise by WA government: praise for 75m Parkside investment – now you can shut it!MORE than 50 jobs havebeen lost after last week’sclosure of the historicGreenbushes mill in thesouth west of WesternAustralia, a more than 75 million investmentby Queensland’s ParksideTimber.State Shadow Ministerfor Forestry Steven Martinsaid the closure was a shockto the local Greenbushescommunity and evidenceof the government’s failureto properly understand theimplications of its plan toclose the native hardwoodindustry.“This closure is a directresult of the decision toend native forestry and thegovernment is leaving the1/ Shock closure. Parkside’sGreenbushes mill in southwest WA.2/ Adele Farina closure came asblow to industry.3/ Steven Martin ministershould be ashamedtwo years ago by DaveKelly. However, he has notacknowledged whether hisgovernment’s policy was toblame for the mill’s closure.“Whether it’s a decisiondirectly resulting fromour decision to end nativelogging in 2024, we’re notin a position to say that,”Mr Kelly told the ABC. .1hard-workingfamilies ofGreenbushes,who have servedthe mill for its 128years, to pay theprice,” Mr Martinsaid.“Greenbushes23offered a window intothe future for many smallcommunities across thestate’s south west andwithout serious policyrevisions, the future is veryuncertain.”Parkside purchased theGreenbushes green and drymill in 2019 with the activepraise and encouragement ofthe state government.LABORDESTROYINGA SUSTAINABLEINDUSTRY“Labor is destroying asustainable industry that hassupported small communitiesin Western Australia forwell over a century,” MrMartin said. “Dave Kelly,the Minister for ForestryMinister, should be ashamedof his actions.”Parkside was encouragedto invest in the sector just4TIMBER & FORESTRY E-NEWS ISSUE 706 May 12, 2022WA Forest IndustriesFederation CEO AdeleFarina said the closurecame as a blow to industryand the Greenbushescommunity, particularlygiven the state government’scommitment to “businessas usual” for industry until2024.Parkside purchased thedry and green mill fromBrickworks in October 2019processing karri and marriand was actively encouragedand praised by the stategovernment for its significantinvestment, which now totalsmore than 75 million.Initially, Mr Kelly saidParkside’s investment wasseen by the McGowangovernment as a stepforward in maintaining astrong forestry industrythat supports WA jobs “while still protecting theenvironmental values of ourbeautiful native forests”.“Minister Kelly has brokenhis promise and instead shutthe native forestry industrydown,” Steve Martin said.Meanwhile, the onlineCont P 5
INDUSTRY NEWSanalyse import data andexplore options to assistin mitigating prospectivereductions in supply,” MrHalkett said.From P 3Europe. The Department ofIndustry, Science, Energyand Resources has notedthe disruption to existingsupply chains and intendsto explore options fordiversifying supply chainswhile acknowledging thatit is critical to sustainbuilding and constructionbusinesses reliant on suchimports.“The minister also notedTASK FORCEWOULD ASSESSIMPACT ONTIMBER SUPPLYDan TehanNils Korenthat it is essential strongcontingency plans aredeveloped to mitigate theimpacts of the now-evidentdisruptions to existingsupply chains and associatedarrangements,” John Halkettsaid.In discussions with officials,it has been proposed that aJohn Halkettjoint taskforce comprisingrepresentatives from federalindustry, trade, foreign affairsand supply chain resilienceportfolios, together withrelevant timber industrybodies, be established.“Such a taskforce couldassess impacts on timberproducts supply chains,While it is a relief thisadditional tariff has beendelayed, it unfortunatelyis not stopping the everincreasing shortages ofEWPs in the building andconstruction sectors dueto the high demand forthe product and increasingcosts to ship the goods intoAustralia.Russia is a key supplierof EWP and pine framing toworld markets, but it is likelysupply chains will disrupted inthe coming months.US short of thousands of firefighters as summer approachesTHE US Forest Service isshort thousands of wildlandfirefighters as it enters whatis expected to be anotherchallenging fire season amida historic drought in theWest.The agency has publiclysaid it has 90% of the staff itneeds, or 10,200 firefighters.But deputy chief Jaelith HallRivera said that figure wasthe sum of the firefightersthe agency had “either onboard or have made offersto.”From P 4FIFWA has been indiscussions with thegovernment to allow workersto access resources throughthe Native Forestry TransitionGroup as soon as possible.continue to operate. Nannupwas acquired in January2020 from Nannup TimberProcessing. Significantinvestment has been underway to make it just a greenmill processing jarrahproducts.portal allowing impactedworkers to accesscompensation packages isstill not open and Ms Farinahas urged state governmentaction on this.Parkside’s Nannup andManjimup facilities willBut as of the end of April,a 600 million pay raiseapproved by Congress to helprecruitment and retentionefforts has been stuck formonths in a bureaucraticmorass. The raises were for50% of firefighters’ salariesor 20,000, whichever is less.Firefighters have yet to see acent of it.The Manjimup site hasbeen rebuilt as a specialistprocessing centre with 12 million invested sinceJanuary last year usingworld’s best technology. Poor scientific advice, P 6.Beautiful. Natural.Sustainable. Australian.responsiblewood.org.auThe 2022 Richard Stanton awardnominations are now open.Entries close September 2, 2022.Kieran Gosden, Forestry SA.Winner of Richard StantonAward 2021TIMBER & FORESTRY E-NEWS ISSUE 706 May 12, 20225
FOREST INDUSTRY NEWSWA minister is receiving poor scientific advice:foresters refute claim timber yields are decliningFORESTRY Australia’sWestern Australian branchhas refuted claims madeby Minister for ForestsDave Kelly who suggestedtimber yields in WA’sforests are declining, thatthe state’s forests are nolonger productive, andthat the decision by thegovernment to end nativeforest harvesting is based on“science”.Branch chair Brad Barrsaid there was no availableevidence to support thegovernment’s claims thattimber yields were decliningand that state forests wereno longer productive.Forestry Australia wroteto the minister in Marchseeking evidence of thisscience. No answer has beenforthcoming.“It is the statutoryresponsibility of theConservation Commission toprovide advice to the Ministerfor the Environment aboutthe level of sustained yieldthat could be provided byWA’s magnificent multiple-usestate forests,” Mr Barr said.“To the best of ourknowledge, the commission2019), have all reiteratedthat the potential effects ofclimate change on the growthrate of jarrah and karri treeshave been applied whenprojecting future yields.121/ Dave Kelly no response to Forestry Australia request.2/ Brad Barr measurements have not shown that tree growth hasstopped.provided no correspondenceto government to the effectthat a conclusion could bedrawn that ‘the science tellsus that the industry is nolonger sustainable’.“Forestry is a scientificdiscipline, informed bycareful study of forestecosystems. Critical to thatis measurement of trees, todetermine the rate of growth.Long-term measurementplots have not shown thattree growth has stopped,despite the clear reduction inrainfall since the 1970s.”Mr Barr said scientificresearch published in thejournal Climate Dynamicsconcluded that the recentdecline in rainfall in southwest Western Australia since2000 was not unusual inits magnitude or durationcompared to rainfall variabilityover the past seven centuries.“We’ve been lured into aninvalid comparison period– the 20th Century wasactually the wettest in sevencenturies,” Mr Barr said. “Theresilient forests have survivedand thrived in much drierconditions in the past.”Forestry Australia notesthat the 2014-2023 ForestManagement Plan document,and its various independentreviews (most recently inThe FMP settings for futuretree growth was ‘high climatechange severity assumed’ “and even then, a further10% was deducted fromcalculated sustainable yields,just to be on the safe side,”Mr Barr said.“Actual measurements oftree growth conducted sincehave shown these predictionsto be overly pessimistic, withactual tree growth muchhigher in reality.“The minister may point toreduced sawlog yields anddifficulty in meeting contractvolumes as evidence.In reality, governmentintercessions that cancelledplanned harvests of highyield areas at short notice,overestimation of Covidimpacts on forest productdemand (predicted to subduedemand, but massivecommonwealth stimulus infact exploded demand), underCont P 7Investing in people advancing the industryGrant award applications for 2022 are now open: Skill Development Support Scholarships FellowshipsDon’t miss this opportunity – all details www.gottsteintrust.orgApplications close on Friday, 3rd June 2022.To discuss your application ideascall Helen Murray 0419 991 424or email: team@gottsteintrust.org6TIMBER & FORESTRY E-NEWS ISSUE 706 May 12, 2022
CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2022MAY21: Queensland TimberIndustry Awards – RydgesSouthbank, Brisbane. ContactAlicia Oelkers 0418 449 031.www.tabma.com.auJUNE3: WFTN Qld strategicplanning workshop – HughHamilton Room, ConstructionTraining Centre, Salisbury,QLD and via Zoom. 8-11 am.Setting priorities and agendafor progressing meaningfulchange for women in the forestand timber industries. Contactsarah@timberqueensland.com.au10: Third time lucky! GTTIAAwards – Mount Gambier,SA. The GTTIA committeeconfirms the awards gala eventwill be held on June 10 at TheBarn, Mount Gambier SA.Tickets on sale April 25 and forpurchase online. Email:info@gttia.com14: AFPA-Timber Queenslanddinner – Rydges Southbank,Brisbane, QLD. Starts 6 pm.First national forest industriesevent in the new federalparliamentary term. Ticketsat d-forestindustries-dinner16: Timber Queensland R&Dfield day – Brisbane, QLD.8 am-2 pm. Showcaseof current R&D fromQueensland's three majorresearch centres andtheir partners. Visit www.timberqueensland.com.au/events21-22: Frame Australia TimberOffsite Construction – CrownPromenade Melbourne, VIC.New global ‘hybrid’ format.Choose from a selection ofhalf-day and full-day programs.Virtual delegates can registerfor just one or more conferencesessions. For furtherinformation and registrationvisit the website www.timberoffsiteconstruction.comJULY10-15: 65th The Societyof Wood Science andTechnology annual meeting– Salt/Peppers Mantracomplex, Kingscliffe, NSW.SWST activities includepublishing wood and fibrescience and accreditingundergraduate wood scienceprograms in North American,South America, Asia andEurope. This will be the firsttime SWST meets in our partof the world and more than 160abstracts have been submittedfrom 25 countries. The meetingwill bring together scientistsfrom around the globe toaddress topics includingbasic timber properties, masstimber construction, plantationresources, timber certificationand timber processing.Registration is now open atwww.swst.org.From P 6resourcing of DBCA forestenvironmental planning,a shortage of harvest andhaulage contractors, andrecruitment gaps at the ForestProducts Commission allconspired to make it difficultto harvest the long-termsustainable volumes that theforest scientists know are outthere in our forests.”Forestry Australia saysMinister Kelly is receivingvery poor scientific advice onSuggestionshave goneawry thatWA’s forestsare decliningand are nolongerproductive.the topic of forest productivityand impacts of climatechange. Whatever advice heis getting, it is not comingfrom members of ForestryAustralia.The government hasannounced that native forestSEPTEMBER11-16: Gottstein TrustUnderstanding Wood ScienceCourse – Sunday evening,September 11, 2022, inAlbury, NSW, for the field tripcomponent, ending on Friday,September 16, in Canberra.The course is fully bookedand a wait list is operating ona first-in-first-served basis.Delivered in partnership withthe ANU. The course programcan be downloaded at www.gottsteintrust.orgOCTOBER26-28: DANA-Gingko GlobalWoodchip and BiomassTrade Conference, Singapore.Focus on woodchips andbiomass. (Venue to beadvised). Website live andearly bird registrations nowopen. Visit https://danaevents.co.nz/2022singapore Contactconference organiser MarielaFerrari mariela.ferrari@danaevents.co.nzharvesting in WA will end atthe start of 2024. The state’snext forest management plan– covering the period 20242033 – would not includenative forest clearing, andthe government will spend 350m to expand softwoodtimber plantations and 50mto support affected workersand communities.On the cover: Regrowth jarrahforests at Harvey, 140 km southof Perth between Pinjarra andBunbury. Photo Todd BrittainPh: 64 9 416 8294Fax: 64 9 416 8296Email: sales@holtec.orgWeb: www.holtec.orgTIMBER & FORESTRY E-NEWS ISSUE 706 May 12, 20227
BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTIONShortage of skilled tradesmen worst in 16 yearsSKILLED professionals andtradespeople across thearchitecture, engineering andconstruction sectors are inmassive demand amid a hugevolume of work in detachedhome building and civilinfrastructure, new data hasfound.Released by the NationalSkills Commission, the Marchmonthly job vacancy datashows a worker shortage ofunprecedented proportionsacross many design andconstruction roles.The number of vacanciesfor tradespeople, machineryand equipment operators andHUGE VOLUMEOF WORK INDETATCHED HOMEBUILDINGof skilled engineering,” hesaid.Mr Bristow says factorsdriving the shortage includelower-than-normal levelsof overseas and interstatemigration, a competitive jobmarket for school leaversand graduates and demandpressures arising out of highlevels of activity on publicinfrastructure projects andresidential construction.The 2022-23 federal Budget splashed billions of dollars on smallbusinesses and apprentices in the wake of skilled labour shortages.other manual labourers sit atlevels not seen since the databegan in 2006.Meanwhile, unfilledvacancies across constructionmanagement and manytypes of engineering are attheir highest levels since themining boom.Simon Bristow, seniorregional director at leadingrecruitment firm Hays, saysthere is a candidate shortageof a magnitude which has notbeen seen before.“There are shortagesacross all areas of trades andlabour as well as many areasSnap to it.The Responsible Wood 2022 Photo Contestis now open. Entries close June 5, 2022.We are inviting professional and amateur photographers tosubmit their best photos showcasing your local forest.*Responsible Wood is offering a cash prize of 1000 for thewinning photo. The top three photos will compete in theinternational 2022 PEFC Photographer of the Year Award!Upload your photo(s) to Instagram using#rwphotocontest22 – and that’s it!* Photos must be taken from a Responsible Wood certified forest.For more information visit responsiblewood.org.auPhoto: Early Morning in the Bago Forest - Robyn MacRae8TIMBER & FORESTRY E-NEWS ISSUE 706 May 12, 2022Release of the latest skillsdata follows the 202223 federal Budget whichsplashed billions of dollarson small businesses andapprentices. New apprenticesand their employers will beeligible for hefty payments,particularly for those in“priority” industries.This is back-dropped byCont P 9
Industry leaders warn onlegality of Far East importsof Russian birch plywoodCONSTRUCTIONleaders havewarned that sometimber productssourced from theFar East could beillegal to import.HYNE.COM.AUINDUSTRY NEWSThe UKConstructionLeadership Councilhas warned thatBirch plywood becoming increasingly scarce.Far East importsof birch plywoodgroup said imports from thecome from Russian logs andFar East could also be illegalare therefore deemed illegaldue to Russian materialsin the UK.being used in the region.Supplies of the product“If the UK market is offeredwill continue to tighten in thebirchplywood for later in thecoming months, especially inyearfromthe Far East, it willthe summer, the council saysbe based on Russian birchin its latest report.logs and will be illegal to“Birch plywood willimport,” the report says.become increasing scarceAn impacted birchwoodas the northern summersupply chain is most likely toprogresses,” CEO ofaffect the joinery, shop fittingthe Builders MerchantsFederation John Newcomband finishing sectors. Butsaid.most other wood products,including structural softwood,“Outside of Russia there isare fully stocked in the UK,only limited production fromthe report adds. The joineryEurope, principally Finland,”he said.and shop fitting industriesmay also find alternativesImports of products fromto Russian redwood andRussia and Belarus werebanned following the Russian whitewood, but thesecould end up being moreinvasion of Ukraine whichbegan in February, but theexpensive.From P 8widespread complaints of askills shortage constrainingthe ability of SMEs to hireand retain qualified talent.The Budget shows employerswill be eligible to claim up to 4500 in the first year of thesystem.The Coalition plan hingeson the creation of the newAustralian ApprenticesIncentive System, adevelopment the Coalitionsays will update and refinethe 30 or so paymentsalready available to employersand apprentices.To sweeten the dealfor workers, the Coalitionsays it will furnish priorityapprentices with 5000 intraining support payments,split into half-yearlyinstalments over two years.TIMBER & FORESTRY E-NEWS ISSUE 706 May 12, 20229
GLOBAL FOCUSBrexit, Covid, Ukraine among hurdles for timbermarkets in UK and Canada as volumes get tighter178,000 cub m decline in softwood imports hit housing and renovation markets in Britainand commercialprojects in orderto maintain stronggrowth,” he said.A SLOWER British housingand home renovation marketin the first quarter this yearis reflected in timber importvolumes, which fell belowthe record levels seen in2021, according to TimberDevelopment UK statistics.They show that whiletimber import volumes arenearly 20% lower in February2022 than those of February2021, they remain slightlyabove the pre-pandemiclevels of February 2020.While this was the fifthconsecutive month wheretotal timber import volumeswere below the previousyear, it marks a return tomore expected patternsNick Boulton companiesin the wood sector willneed to be more flexiblein 2022.within the market.The biggest factor drivingchange between February2022 and February 2021 wasa 178,000 cub m declinein softwood imports, withNO ONE KNOWSair fl WLIKE SMITHCOWe’ve been a leading force in air flow design foralmost 3 decades, with 4-, 6-, 8-, and 12-bladedpropellers, designed and manufactured exclusivelyfor the lumber industry. Now, they are even morecapable with higher- temperature capacity for certainapplications. We combine this technology withunsurpassed customer service, design consultationand technical expertise, so whatever your air flowneed, you can trust SmithCo to deliver.Phone 503-295-6590 800-764-8456 U.S.smithcomfg.com sales@smithcomfg.com10Chris Sutton 2021 wasa record year for timberimports in the UK.TIMBER & FORESTRY E-NEWS ISSUE 706 May 12, 2022Kevin Mason brutallogistics have kept themarket tight for Canadianproducers.hardwood and plywoodimports up by 32% and 8%respectively.“After the 12% constructiongrowth and a record year fortimber imports in 2021, wewere always expecting moremodest import volumes inthe early months of 2022,”Timber Development UKhead of trade Nick Boultonsaid“Softwood importscorrelate heavily with thehome repairs, maintenanceand improvements and newhousing markets. All have hada slow start to the year,” MrBoulton said.“It is likely these marketswill continue to slow as wehead into our spring season,with the latest CPA forecastsuggesting that inflation willimpact these constructionsectors the hardest.”Mr Boulton said thiswas coupled with a likelyslowdown in consumerconfidence as the energy andcost of living crisis began tobite in the coming months.“It’s clear that companiesin the wood sector will needto be more flexible in 2022seeking out infrastructure“While overallthese importvolumes suggesta more ‘regular’year for the timbermarket, the terribleevents unfolding inUkraine are likelyto cause marketdisruption.TimberDevelopment UK chairmanChris Sutton said the last twoyears had put considerablestress on businesses andstaff, with Brexit, Covid andUkraine all happening within ashort space of each other.“Demand for timberproducts has also beenexceptionally high over thelast year, with 2021 proving arecord year for timber importsin the UK,” he said.INFLATION WILLHIT HARDEST FORCONSTRUCTIONSECTOR“With the world in aclimate crisis, this highdemand is likely to continuegiven timber’s importancein decarbonising the UK’sconstruction industry.“Speaking to many ofour members over the lastfew months, the resilienceof the timber industrycannot be underestimated.Regardless of the significantrecent challenges, they areCont P 11
GLOBAL FOCUSthrough Q2 andlikely Q3. Buyersare panicked amidlimited supply.From P 10controlling where they canand are getting on with thejob at hand.”Meanwhile, Canadabased ERA ForestProducts Research, anequity and fixed incomeresearch firm, says lumberprices are poised to movehigher again after a shortlived correction.Managing director KevinMason says the impactsof the Russian-Ukrainewar are broad-based andstill developing. However, thefocal point of the challengesremains Europe, particularlywith respect to energy.“Global currency shifts arein motion,” Mr Mason said.“Housing starts remainedstrong last month and risingrates aren’t expected tomeaningfully impact demanduntil 2023.“Log markets are goodalmost everywhere, withprices rising sharply in thePacific Northwest and someparts of the US South.Location matters.”Mr Mason said averageprices this year wereexpected to exceed 2021.“Panel prices have cracked,but they are likely to postupside surprises this year,”he said.“OSB imports have seena dramatic war-related drop.“Europeannewsprintprices haverecord-breakingdifferentialsThe constructionbetween highindustry absorbsand low prices.60% or more of allA convergencesawn softwoodused in the UK.to the highAnother 40% isend is coming.used in pallets andpackaging.European paperprice increasesPulp prices are still headedcontinue,up in all markets amid supplypressured by high energychallenges.costs.”“Brutal logistics have keptmarkets tight, but ChinaNeed creativeadvertising solutions?issues are a risk. Newsprintprices are climbing throughApril-May and we don’tbelieve we are at the peakyet.“Offshore pricing is muchhigher than domestic. Paperprices are up everywhere,with more gains comingContact // Zonya Birdzonya@creativebirddesign.comKENNEDY’S RECLAIMED AND SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURAL TIMBERS ARE AN INSPIRED CHOICE FOR UNIQUE BUILDING DESIGN.STRIKINGAND DURABLEA natural alternative to conventional
beautiful native forests". "Minister Kelly has broken . his promise and instead shut . the native forestry industry down," Steve Martin said. Meanwhile, the online . INDUSTRY . NEWS. LABOR. DESTROYING. A SUSTAINABLE. INDUSTRY. A broken promise by WA government: praise for 75m Parkside investment - now you can shut it! 1/ Shock closure .
