The UK’s imports of wood pellets in May dipped 14% on the month to 454,769 mt, with a substantial increase in Canadian material only partially offsetting lower supply from the US, according to customs data Tuesday.
However, May imports were 13% higher than the year-earlier period.
Pellet deliveries in the first five months of 2015 increased to 2.2 million mt, 55% higher than the corresponding 2014 period.
The UK took receipt of 200,418 mt of US origin pellets in May — a 14-month low — 37% lower on the month and 26% down on-year.
Deliveries from Canada increased to 121,336 mt in May, an 11-month high and 98% higher than a year earlier.
Portugal was the UK’s third largest supplier of pellets in May, shipping 55,863 mt, up 23% on-year and a year-to-date high.
With UK generator Drax Power bringing its third 645-MW biomass conversion unit online at the beginning of July, UK pellet imports are expected to gather pace in the second half of the year, market sources have said.
