Accurate estimates of the specific effects on timber trade volumes this year will only become apparent when more countries publish trade data for the first quarter (data for European trade during that period is due be published in mid-May).

Anecdotally, reports suggest most European timber importers were putting orders on hold in the second half of March and during April as they struggled to deal with a build-up of stock that couldn’t be shifted as manufacturers, retailers and construction sites have gone into lockdown.