Timber Development UK (TDUK) has published its first-ever Market Briefing, bringing together economic analysis, market data and insight from businesses across the supply chain to provide a detailed picture of the issues shaping the timber industry during the first half of 2026.
Drawing on contributions from timber merchants, sawmills, manufacturers and timber engineering businesses, the briefing identifies confidence as the single biggest factor influencing market performance.
While demand for new housing and sustainable construction remains strong, uncertainty surrounding the economy, housing activity and global events continues to delay investment and purchasing decisions.
The report explores a wide range of topics affecting the sector, including housing and construction output, timber import performance, geopolitical uncertainty, rising business costs and the long-term challenge of skills and labour availability. Despite difficult trading conditions, the briefing highlights timber’s resilience, with several product categories continuing to perform well and long-term drivers such as the Timber in Construction Roadmap, embodied carbon targets and modern methods of construction supporting future growth for timber as a low-carbon, sustainable building material.
David Hopkins, Chief Executive Officer of Timber Development UK, said: “Confidence has become the defining issue facing both the timber sector and the wider construction industry. The need to build new homes has not disappeared, nor has the demand for sustainable, low-carbon materials needed to build them. What is missing is the confidence to invest, to commit and to move projects forward.”
He added: “Throughout this first Timber Development UK Market Briefing, one message comes through consistently from businesses across the timber supply chain: confidence drives investment, investment drives construction, and construction drives growth.”
The briefing complements TDUK’s wider programme of market intelligence, technical guidance, training and business support, helping its members to better understand changing market conditions and prepare for future opportunities. Going forward, TDUK will publish a new Market Briefing every six months, providing up-to-date market data and analysis to members.
You can read the full Market Briefing document on TDUK’s website.
