UK traders competing fiercely for sales to year-end

With the fourth quarter underway, weak demand has been creating difficulties for UK softwood traders as they struggle to secure enough sales to carry them through to the end of the year. The result has been intense competition, with selling prices pushed lower as shippers and importers fight for every possible order to keep stock moving. In this environment, UK merchants have remained cautious in their purchasing, trying to keep inventories under tight control while ensuring they can still meet customers’ needs. Business has been uneven, with some regions performing better than others, but overall demand remains weak ...