Distributors look to North America for cheaper wood

With timber shortages continuing to drive up prices, distributors are considering looking to North America to source more economical materials.

Timber prices in the UK have risen by up to 20% since the beginning of the year and the trend is set to continue. This has made the market attractive for Canadian suppliers, who have suffered from the housing slowdown in the US.

Travis Perkins chief executive John White told CJ: "We are about to go into negotiations for our winter supply and are looking at importing timber from Canada as the US market has bombed.

"Suppliers in North America are seeking other markets and this could help us deal with the shortfall in the UK. It is possible we could see a glut of products coming over the Atlantic."

According to John White, chief executive of the Timber Trade Federation, the UK is attractive to Canadian producers as market prices are so much higher than in North America.

"Canadian timber is coming in at a slightly lower price than the market average and people are trying it. The only concern is that they still deal in imperial sizes, but these issues can be overcome."