While uncertainty surrounding Brexit may be casting a shadow over the UK market the wider EU hardwood sector reports generally steady, in some cases strong, trading in to date including in tropical timber. This is despite some slowdown in economic activity and increased downside concerns about the medium-term outlook. Businesses report some issues with supply, but overall consumption is said to be holding up, while hardwood prices are steady to firm.

There have been interesting developments in hardwood promotion. New moves in marketing and communication have come from the Sustainable Tropical Timber Coalition (STTC), the International Tropical Timber Technical Association (ATIBT), the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC), FSC and the UK Timber Trade Federation (TTF).