Tropical imports
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October 23, 2017
US tropical sawnwood now account for 30% of total sawn hardwood imports
US imports of temperate and tropical sawn hardwood grew slightly in August to 72,278 cu.m., but the value of imports declined. Tropical sawnwood imports accounted for 21,381 cu.m. or 30% of total sawn hardwood imports in August. Tropical imports increased 14% from July, while the value of tropical sawnwood imported was almost unchanged at US$21.7 million. Year-to-date tropical imports were up 5% compared to August 2016. The month-over-month increase was mainly in imports of balsa, keruing, jatoba and acajou d’Afrique. Balsa imports grew 24% to 6,252 cu.m. in August. Keruing imports were 2,234 cu.m., up 19% from July. Imports of ipe sawnwood were slightly down in August (2,412 cu.m.), but at US$5.1 million ipe was still the leading species imported by value. Malaysian exports to the US increased by one third in August. The US imported from Malaysia in August 2,073 cu.m. of... Continue reading
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September 21, 2017
EU imports more tropical plywood, mainly from China
Plywood is one of the few sectors of the EU market where tropical products have been performing reasonably well, although much of the gain has been in indirect imports from China rather than direct imports from tropical countries. In the first six months of 2017, EU imports of products faced with tropical hardwood manufactured in China increased 62% to 54,300 MT, while direct imports from tropical countries increased 21% to 171,100 MT. Most of the gains in direct imports were from Indonesia, rising 29% to 45,700 MT. Imports from Malaysia were stable at 34,200 MT and imports from Gabon fell 16% to 8,700 MT in the first half of the year. These are mixed results for those looking for evidence of immediate market gains after issue of the first FLEGT licenses in Indonesia at the end of last year. The 21% rise in EU imports from Indonesia is encouraging and seems to confirm early... Continue reading
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October 23, 2017
US tropical sawnwood now account for 30% of total sawn hardwood imports
US imports of temperate and tropical sawn hardwood grew slightly in August to 72,278 cu.m., but the value of imports declined. Tropical sawnwood imports accounted for 21,381 cu.m. or 30% of total sawn hardwood imports in August. Tropical imports increased 14% from July, while the value of tropical sawnwood imported was almost unchanged at US$21.7 million. Year-to-date tropical imports were up 5% compared to August 2016. The month-over-month increase was mainly in imports of balsa, keruing, jatoba and acajou d’Afrique. Balsa imports grew 24% to 6,252 cu.m. in August. Keruing imports were 2,234 cu.m., up 19% from July. Imports of ipe sawnwood were slightly down in August (2,412 cu.m.), but at US$5.1 million ipe was still the leading species imported by value. Malaysian exports to the US increased by one third in August. The US imported from Malaysia in August 2,073 cu.m. of... Continue reading