Italy Trip

16 May 2018

Keeley Baker recently spent 3 days travelling around Italy visiting new and existing suppliers of European Oak and Beech. There are concerns for the long-term supply of European Oak. We understand from the TTF European Oak Conference held in London on 18th April that supply will become more difficult as worldwide demand continues to grow.The recent legislation change to European Oak exported from Croatia means that exported material must have a maximum moisture content of 20%. This change will impact those mills that do not have the kilning facility to achieve this and other suppliers that have historically cut and kilned logs outside of Croatia.

This visit was a combination of fact finding in terms of future supply and to source potential new mills whilst also reinforcing some current trading relationships already established. Timber Connection have strong relationships with several Italian sawmills that have long term concessions agreed with the Croatian authorities. This will safeguard supply going forward giving our customers continuous volumes of Prime, Character and Light Rustic/Rustic European Oak for the foreseeable future.