EU timber imports hit by triple squeeze of tariffs, regulation and weak demand

The European Union, one of the world’s largest importers of forest products, is importing fewer logs, less plywood and smaller volumes of wood pellets as tariffs, regulatory pressure and a prolonged construction downturn converge. Customs-based trade data show that in November 2025 EU imports of logs, plywood and pellets fell by 16%, 18% and 14% year on year respectively, underlining the depth of the contraction now affecting Europe’s timber supply chains. Despite the sharp fall in volumes, prices have moved in the opposite direction for several products. Log imports into the EU declined to around 429 ...