Wood Products Prices in The UK & Holland

16-28th February 2007

Report from the UK

New annual budget may bring news for the industry
The industry awaits in mid-March the announcement of the budget for the next year by the Chancellor of the Exchequer. It could bring good news for the use of wood products in terms of construction projects or bad news in terms of taxes or increased transport and utility costs, thus reducing competitiveness. Meanwhile, the UK inflation rate eased slightly in January to 2.7% after jumping to an eleven-year high of 3% in December, according to the Office of national Statistics (ONS). However, retail sales fell at their fastest rate in four years in January as the effect of interest rate rises began to take effect. The ONS said retail sales fell 1.8%.

Most builders report encouraging results
B&Q owners Kingfisher said annual profits were likely to be ahead of market forecasts after it enjoyed improved trading. The company added that results from the new larger stores continued to be encouraging after its UK sales rose 13% in the last three months. House builders George Wimpey had also a strong UK performance which helped to offset the slowing US market. In contrast, another builder, Ben Bailey, confirmed a fall in profits and put its business up for bid offers.

Abbreviations

LM       Loyale Merchant, a grade of log parcel	Cu.m         Cubic Metre
QS        Qualite Superieure	Koku         0.278 Cu.m or 120BF
CI          Choix Industriel	FFR           French Franc
CE         Choix Economique	SQ              Sawmill Quality
CS         Choix Supplimentaire	SSQ            Select Sawmill Quality
FOB      Free-on-Board	FAS            Sawnwood Grade First and
KD        Kiln Dry	Second
AD        Air Dry	WBP           Water and Boil Proof
Boule    A Log Sawn Through and Through	MR              Moisture Resistant
the boards from one log are bundled	pc         per piece
together	ea                each
BB/CC  Grade B faced and Grade C backed	MBF           1000 Board Feet
Plywood	MDF           Medium Density Fibreboard
BF        Board Foot	F.CFA         CFA Franc
Sq.Ft     Square Foot	Price has moved up or down