Australia’s imports of Builders’ Joinery – everything from doors and windows to posts and beams and floor panels – increased in value to AUD486.9 million, up 8.7% on the prior year. At a product level, it is hard to go past the 31.4% increase in the value of Wooden Posts and Beams (including LVL and I-Beams) that amounted to AUD137.3 million over the year.
The chart below shows the total value of Builders’ Joinery over the last five years. It is difficult to miss the massive rise in value from mid-2013. However, moving past that, the value of imports appeared to peak in late 2016. But a decline in 2017 was quickly met with a solid rise in the value of imports that sees them closing in on the half a billion-dollar level by mid-2018.
To go straight to the dashboard and take a closer look at the data, click here.
Unfortunately, the data for Builders’ Joinery imports is not available by volume, only by value. Examining the details of imports is therefore only possible on that basis, but is nonetheless instructive. As the chart below shows, the value of Wooden Post & Beam imports (inc. LVL and I Beams) follows a very similar pattern to the total shown above.
To go straight to the dashboard and take a closer look at the data, click here.
There is no particular stand-out among the countries delivering Posts & Beams to Australia. Growth has been consistent and widespread, with more countries joining the supply over the last two years. However, more importantly, the main supplier, the USA, has seen the value of its supply fall, and it proportion of the total fall more sharply.
Over the year-ended July 2018, US supply was valued at AUD46.5 million and accounted for 34% of the total. Half a decade back, over the year-ended July 2013, US supply was valued at AUD44.8 million and accounted for a far higher 78% of the total.
Strength in the US Housing market reduces the temptation to export, but it is also the case that the recent appreciation of the US dollar is allowing other suppliers into the still strong Australian market.
