BMBI Q3 report sees timber sales grow +2.1% year-on-year

The latest figures from the Builders Merchants Building Index (BMBI) show total value sales for Q3 2025 were down -0.1% compared to Q3 2024, despite Timber and Joinery Products being up 2.1%. Volume sales were up +0.7% year-on-year, while prices were -0.8% lower. There were no difference in trading days.

Eight categories sold more by value in Q3 2025 compared to Q3 2024, with Renewables & Water Saving (+6.0%) the best performing category. Of the two biggest categories, Timber and Joinery Products (+2.1%) outperformed Total Builders Merchants, while Heavy Building Materials (-1.7%) was behind.

Quarter-on-quarter value sales for Q3 2025 were down -1.2% compared to the previous three-months. Volume sales fell -1.0%, and prices eased -0.2%.

By value, nine categories sold more with Plumbing, Heating & Electrical (+3.2%) ahead of the rest. Heavy Building Materials (-1.2%) was on par with Total Merchants, but Timber & Joinery Products (+1.6%) did better. Landscaping (-13.8%) was the weakest category.

James Davenport, Managing Director of Metsä Wood UK and BMBI’s Expert for Softwoods and Engineered Timber commented: “The sawmilling industry across Europe continues to face challenging circumstances.

“Record high log prices combined with stagnant sawn timber prices, driven by low demand across Europe, are continuing to put the industry under significant pressure. Production curtailments in the third quarter have taken place and will limit the growth of stocks entering the fourth quarter, which is traditionally a quiet period for sawmills.

“The general sentiment in the sawmilling industry remains poor, and this is not expected to change in the foreseeable future.

“House building and general construction activity remains weak and well short of government targets. I will leave my opinion on the viability of these targets for another day! There are pockets of residential building activity in certain parts of the country and these more buoyant regions seem to be linked to house affordability which tells us that the underlying demand for property is still there, when it is affordable.

“We still see very positive potential in engineered wood products, and timber technology is constantly evolving, which will provide opportunities to grow demand for these products beyond the typical single-family house.”

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