1. CENTRAL AND WEST AFRICA

 Forecast rise in log production in Gabon
A recent report from the Ministry of Economy in Gabon says log production fell 37% in the last quarter of 2022 compared to the previous quarter. According to the domestic media the Ministry report says the downturn "is linked to the sharp rise in operating costs caused by the increase in the price of fuel and the unavailability of rail wagons”.

However, despite the poor performance in the last quarter 2022 log production rose by 16% year-on-year. For the year 2023 the Ministry expects a production of 1.7 million cu.m up from 1.57 million.

See: https://www.lenouveaugabon.com/fr/agro-bois/0505-19708-la-production-des-grumes-recule-de-37-au-4e-trimestre-2022-en-raison-de-la-hausse-des-couts-d-exploitation

Index has log and sawnwood prices moving higher
In the first quarter 2023 prices for wood products exported by CEMAC countries (Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Chad, CAR and Equatorial Guinea) increased by just over 4% according to the Composite Commodity Price Index (ICCPB) published by the Bank of Central African States. Most of the improvement was in the price of logs for which average prices rose 7%. Sawnwood prices also rose but by just 3.5%.

See: https://www.lenouveaugabon.com/fr/agro-bois/2504-19685-bois-a-l-export-le-prix-des-grumes-augmente-plus-que-celui-des-sciages-au-premier-trimestre-2023

Additional tracking system for Gabon
CSM Tech, an Indian IT software design company, recently signed a contract with Gabon's Ministry of Economy and Recovery for the establishment of a timber traceability solution and an electronic timber trading platform.

The local media comments that this new tracking system will open finished wood products from Gabon to the world market. Questions have been raised on how a new tracking system will fit with the existing system used in the special economic zone (SEZ) of Nkok which traders find is recognised by the authorities in the EU.

See: https://www.gabonreview.com/tracabilite-du-bois-un-contrat-de-plusieurs-millions-de-dollars-au-gabon-pour-lindienne-csm-tech/

New dry port operational
The new dry port in the Nkok Investment Zone is now operational. This infrastructure, which connects the investment zone (ZIS) of Nkok to the port of Owendo by land will make it possible to decongest the port of Owendo.

See: https://www.lenouveaugabon.com/fr/transports-logistique/1205-19724-le-port-sec-de-la-zis-de-nkok-d-une-capacite-de-3000-containers-par-mois-est-desormais-operationnel

Logging and trucking unaffected by rain
It has been reported that some operators in the area of Lastourevilles (or Mandji) in east-central Gabon on the Ogooué River and served by the N3 highway are now trucking logs to the Special Zone as rail wagons are still unavailable.Weather conditions in Cameroon, the RCA and North Congo are currently good for harvesting as it is the dry season until around the end of June.

Heavy rain has been reported in Gabon and Congo but the rain is not disrupting deliveries to the Nkok peeling mills.

2. GHANA

 Plywood exports increased
Plywood is one of Ghana’s wood product exports and much of this is trucked to ECOWAS regional markets. The total volume of plywood exports in the first two months of this year was 2,365 cu.m, a recorded 175% increase over the same period in 2022.

The following table provides an overview of wood product exports in the first two months of this year.

A positive year-on-year growth for plywood shipped by sea along with exports of air-dried sawnwood (+13.65%) and mouldings (+25.37%) contributed to a net export growth of 2.4% for the first two months of 2023 when compared to the same period in year 2022.

Plywood exported by sea and by land accounted for 5.2% of the total export volume (45,312cu.m) for January and February 2023. While exports of plywood by sea increased, overland shipments dropped by 11.4%, from 4,351 cu.m in 2022 to 3,854 cu.m.

Eucalyptus and Ceiba were the two main species used for the manufacture of plywood for export. The international market destinations included India, Egypt, Belgium, Finland and France.

Non-traditional export earnings higher in 2022
The Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) has reported there was a 6% increase in the country's Non-Traditional Export (NTE) earnings in 2022. The Chief Executive Officer of GEPA, Dr. Afua Asabea Asare, revealed this encouraging growth at a press briefing organised by the Ministry of Information.

The NTEs, encompassing a range of diversified products, recorded earnings amounting to US$3.53 billion in 2022, compared to US$3.33 billion in the previous year.

The growth was been attributed to a combination of structural changes within Ghana's NTE ecosystem and the effective implementation of the National Export Development Strategy (NEDS).

With imports of US$425 million, up 16% from the previous year, Burkina Faso emerged as the top market destination for Ghana’s NTEs.

Source: https://www.gepaghana.org/ghana-records-6-growth-in-2022-nte-statistics-report/

Ghana’s Forest Reserves are protected - Minister
At a press conference on the state of Ghana’s Forest Reserves, Samuel A. Jinapor, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources (MLNR) said the Forestry Commission has in place adequate measures to protect the country’s forest resources. He added that protecting against deforestation and forest degradation is a process which requires commitment and determination.

Mr. Jinapor disclosed that since 1900 the country has lost some eighty percent (80%) of its forests with 2014 being the worst year when over 35,000 ha. of forest was lost.

The Minister mentioned some initiatives such as the suspension of exploration in forest reserves; the ban on the harvesting of rosewood and the issuance of CITES permits as some of the measures being implemented to protect the existing forests.

Ghana has an estimated 6.6 million ha. of forest comprising 1.2 million ha. of closed forest and 5.4 million ha. of open forest. These forests have come under threat largely from illegal mining and illegal logging.

See: https://www.myjoyonline.com/we-are-protecting-ghanas-forest-reserves-lands-minister/

& https://www.peacefmonline.com/pages/local/news/202305/487029.php

Environmental court proposed
Justice Camilus Mensah from ‘Hen Mpoano’ (Our Coast) a Non-Governmental Organisation has proposed the setting up of an environmental court to deal with environmental issues such as illegal mining in the county’s forests.

Mr. Mensah disclosed this at a two-day workshop organised for police prosecutors and other security agencies on forest and environmental laws. He revealed that the development of laws on illegal logging and mining has been sporadic and ineffective and enforcement has failed mainly because of inadequate budgets and poor training of staff.

See: https://newsghana.com.gh/ngo-advocates-the-creation-of-an-environment-court/

3. MALAYSIA

 Surprise move on interest rates
Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM) decided to increase the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) by 25 basis points to 3.00%. The BNM said the global economy continues to be weighed down by elevated cost pressures and higher interest rates. While inflation continues to moderate it is above historical averages.

For the Malaysian economy the BNM rise is the latest development pointing to further expansion in economic activity after the strong performance in 2022.

While exports are expected to moderate, growth in 2023 will be driven by domestic demand. The BNM also suggested household spending remained resilient.

See: https://www.nst.com.my/business/2023/05/905303/bank-negara-raises-opr-30pct-surprise-move

30% of Sabah land area to be fully protected by 2025
Sabah has 64% of its land mass under forest cover according to Chief Minister, Hajiji Noor. He said the area includes 3.84 million hectares or 52% of State area as gazetted forest reserves and other protected areas. To boost the State's forest management Sabah has gazetted up to 1.9 million hectares or 26.4% as a Totally Protected Area.

In his speech to launch the State-level International Day of Forests 2023 at the Rainforest Discovery Centre he said it is important to achieve the target of 2.2 million hectares or 30% of the State's land area as a Fully Protected Area by 2025.

The Sabah Government has identified a small part of the forest reserve that has been degraded (around 400,000 hectares) which will be utilised for forest plantations as provided for in the 2022-2036 Forest Plantation Development Action Plan.

See: https://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=211880

Engineered wood products from plantation wood
Industry players are urged to make full use of timber from planted forests to produce high value-added products such as engineered wood panels and furniture. The Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC) said timber from planted forests can be used to produce veneer, plywood, sawnwood, wood chips, MDF, particleboard and furniture.

In the future STIDC anticipates wood from planted forests will be used to produce engineered wood including laminated veneer lumber (LVL), cross laminated timber (CLT) and glue-laminated timber (glulam) and other panel products such as oriented strand board (OSB).

Under the state’s Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030, STIDC said the timber industry was identified as an important economic sector to generate RM8 billion in export earnings annually. The STIDC urged the timber industry to embrace transformation from primary to high value-added processing.

STIDC said the Sarawak government is taking proactive steps in meeting the needs of the timber industry by ensuring sustainable and renewable supply of raw materials. To achieve this the government will embark on planted forest establishment through smart partnerships with the private sector.

At present, there are 50 active Licences for Planted Forests (LPFs) with an area of approximately 2.89 million hectares throughout the state.

As of December 2022 over 500,000 ha. of plantations had been established. The main species planted are Acacia spp, followed by Batai (Falcataria moluccana), Eucalyptus spp. and Kelampayan (Neolamarckia cadamba).

See: http://theborneopost.pressreader.com/article/281560885118396

Incentive to certify
Recently it was announced that logging concessions in Sarawak can be extended for an additional 30 years when they are certified. The domestic press has reported one company, Ta Ann Holdings, secured approval from the Sarawak authorities to renew the licence of all its timber concessions for 30 years until 2053.

See: https://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2023/05/08/ta-ann-timber-licence--gets-30-year-extension

Mission to Taiwan P.o.C
The Timber Exporters’ Association of Malaysia (TEAM) organised a business mission to Taiwan P.o.C visiting three cities, namely Taipei, Taichung, and Kaohsiung.

Those participating were said to be interested in the acquisition of advanced processing technologies. The mission included a visit to ‘Wood Taiwan 2023’ at the Nangang Exhibition Centre in Taipei.

In addition to visiting the exhibition, factory visits to top Taiwan P.o.C woodworking machinery industries were arranged. The TEAM delegation met with the National Union of Timber Trade Association along with importers interested to learn more about Malaysian tropical timbers.

See: http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=45975

4.  INDONESIA

 Export benchmark prices - Merbau sawnwood price increased by US$300
The Ministry of Trade has published its Timber Export Benchmark Price List (HPE) for timber for the period 1-31 May 2023.

For veneer raw material from plantation forests and processed wood products from mixed forest prices have been lowered by US$50/cu.m from the previous month. However, veneer products from plantation logs for wooden sheets for packing boxes have increased.

The following is a list of Timber HPE for the period 1-31 May 2023.

Processed Wood
Processed wood products which are leveled on all four sides so that the surface becomes even and smooth with the provisions of a cross-sectional area of 1000 mm2 to 4000 mm2 (ex 4407.11.00 to ex 4407.99.90

Processed wood product which is leveled on all four sides so that the surface becomes even and smooth from Merbau wood (Intsia sp) with a cross-sectional area of more than 4000 sq.mm to 10000sq. mm (ex 4407.29.91 and ex 4407.29.92): US$1,500/cu.m

See: https://forestinsights.id/2023/05/02/kemendag-tetapkan-harga-patokan-ekspor-hpe-kayu-mei-2023-kayu-gergajian-merbau-melonjak-300-dolar-as/

Risk to timber by US debt default
The wood and furniture industries are vulnerable to being affected by a default in the United States. The Executive Director of the Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (Indef), Tauhid Ahmad, said the wood and wood products, furniture, electricity, footwear, rubber and rubber product industries are strategic export industries and the performance of these industries has contributed to the national economy.

He suggested that if the US debt default situation drags it may result in a recession which would affect Indonesia's economic growth.

See: https://forestinsights.id/2023/05/08/industri-kayu-dan-furnitur-rawan-terdampak-gagal-bayar-utang-amerika-serikat/

Could EUDR strengthen competitiveness of wood products from Indonesia?
Timber is one of the products under the European Union's regulation on deforestation-free supply chains (EUDR) and this will have an impact on Indonesian wood product exports to the EU. Muhammad Ichwan, the Executive Director of the Independent Forestry Monitoring Network (JPIK), said that, until now, there has been no detailed technical guidance regarding the EUDR.

However, he suggested the EUDR could strengthen the competitiveness of wood products from Indonesia. He commented “although it (EUDR) regulates the prohibition of products resulting from deforestation from entering the EU this regulation will not hinder the timber trade as long as these wood products do not result in deforestation.”

The domestic media commeneds that Ichwan believes implementation of EUDR could strengthen Indonesia's Timber Legality Verification System (SVLK) as a more moderate market instrument. However, Ichwan said that the EUDR could also become an additional burden for timber businesses.

See: https://www.kompas.id/baca/humaniora/2023/05/03/daya-tawar-produk-kayu-asal-indonesia-dapat-diperkuat

Human resources to boost competitiveness of furniture Industry
The Ministry of Industry has noted the furniture industry is a significant contributor to national economic growth with export earnings of around US$2.5 billion in 2022. The workforce in the sector is said to be around 145,000 in 1,114 companies. In order to increase the productivity and competitiveness of the furniture industry the Ministry of Industry plays a role in creating skilled human resources.

The Head of the Industrial Human Resources Development Agency (BPSDMI) in the Ministry of Industry, Masrokhan, has pointed out that one of the vocational education units managed by the Ministry of Industry is the Furniture Industry and Wood Processing Polytechnic (Polifurneka) in Kendal, Central Java which has been able to produce competent human resources in the field of furniture and wood processing.

Masrokhan explained "the purpose of establishing this polytechnic is to encourage further investment in the industrial sector through the provision of trained industrial workers in the furniture sector, empowering human resources in the Semarang-Kendal region, as well as a providing a center for innovation for the furniture and wood processing industries".

See:
https://www.viva.co.id/siaran-pers/1597221-kemenperin-sdm-kompeten-pacu-investasi-dan-daya-saing-industri-furnitur

Encouraging investment in agarwood plantations
The Chairman of the Central Leadership Council of the Indonesian Gaharu Farmers and Entrepreneurs Union (SPPGI), Syamsu Alam, has encouraged the community to increase establishment of agarwood plantations.

He stated that agarwood has been exported to more than 139 countries including Europe, America, the Middle East and Asia where it is used for making perfumes and herbal medicines.

He said natural agarwood from Papua is one of the best because it grows naturally while most agarwood grows in plantations. Naturally grown agarwood commands the best price and is mainly from Papua and Kalimantan. He added “there are not enough farmers who focus on producing and that the SPPGI is ready to provide assistance on growing agarwood.

See: https://en.antaranews.com/news/280038/sppgi-encourages-increased-production-of-agarwood-plantations

Foreign entities can buy carbon credits in Jakarta
The government has decided to allow foreign entities to purchase credits in the Indonesian carbon market, paving the way for multinational companies and institutions to tap into the country’s large carbon trading potential.

The announcement came after the Minister for Investment, Bahlil Lahadalia, met with the President. The Minister stressed that all entities participating in carbon-trading activities in the country should be registered with the national registry system (SRN) and the transaction process should be through the country’s carbon exchange.

See: https://asianews.network/indonesian-govt-allows-foreign-entities-to-buy-carbon-credits-from-jakarta/

Indonesia economic growth keeps pace ahead of expected slowdown
In the first quarter of this year Indonesia's economic growth was maintained but a slowdown, triggered by weakening exports and high-interest rates, is likely. Indonesia’s economy expanded 5.03% in the first quarter, slightly up from 5.01% in the previous quarter. First quarter growth was driven by household spending, metal and mineral exports and tourism.

See:
https://www.thejakartapost.com/business/2023/05/05/indonesia-economic-growth-keeps-pace-ahead-of-expected-slowdown.html

5. MYANMAR

 Timber exports reported
At the end of the financial year 2022-23 (1 Apr. 2022 to 31 Mar. 2023) exports of timber earned US$140 million according to the Department of Trade. Myanmar exported US$154 million in 2019-20 and US$128 million in 2020-2021.

It is widely expected that exports will decline in fiscal 2023-24 since importers in the EU and USA have almost stopped buying Myanmar teak. The Myanma Timber Enterprise (MTE) sold, by tender, 1,500 tons of teak logs and 1,000 tons of other hardwood logs on 11 May.

See:http://www.mte.com.mm/index.php/en/27-tenders/export-milling-marketing-dept-tender/teak-logs/1472-tender-announcements-of-11th-may-2023)

Border trade expanding
Myanmar’s border trade with the Thailand totalled US$393 million in April this year surging from US$329 million in April last year.

The Myanmar/Thai border trade is via Tachilek, Myawady, Kawthoung, Myeik, Hteekhee and Mawtaung border crossings. Among them, the Hteekhee border crossing saw the most traffic worth US$273 million in April.

Myanmar also conducts border trade with China, Bangladesh and India and exports mainly agricultural products while importing capital goods, intermediate goods, consumer goods and raw materials.

See: https://www.gnlm.com.mm/myanmar-thailand-border-trade-crosses-us390-mln-in-april-2023-2024/

ASEAN leaders’ statement on the recent attack on aid convoy
In early May a convoy delivering aid to displaced villagers in Myanmar and carrying Indonesian and Singaporean diplomats came under fire by unidentified men armed when travelling in Myanmar’s eastern Shan State. A security team with the convoy returned fire and a vehicle was damaged but no one in the convoy was injured. Indonesia, which serves as ASEAN’s chair this year, had arranged for the delivery of aid.

A statement from the ASEAN Secretariat reads “We were deeply concerned with ongoing violence in Myanmar and urged the immediate cessation of all forms of violence and the use of force to create a conducive environment for the safe and timely delivery of humanitarian assistance and inclusive national dialogues.

We support the statement of the President of the Republic of Indonesia as the Chair of ASEAN on 8 May 2023 in response to the recent attack on a convoy of the AHA Center and the ASEAN Monitoring Team in Myanmar.

We condemned the attack and underlined that the perpetrators must be held accountable. We supported the efforts of the Chair of ASEAN, including its continued engagements with all stakeholders in Myanmar, to encourage progress in the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus.”

See: https://asean.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/STATEMENT-FINAL-RELEASE.pdf

6. INDIA

 Real Estate sentiment index dips
The January-March 2023 Real Estate Sentiment Index published by the real estate consultant, Knight Frank and the National Real Estate Development Council (NAREDCO) indicates that current sentiment, while remaining positive, has weakened recently.

See: https://www.knightfrank.com/research/report-library/real-estate-sentiment-index-q1-january-march-2023-10154.aspx

Manufacturers raise plywood prices
Plywood Manufacturers in North India have decided to raise plywood prices citing raw material supply and price issues. These manufacturers also decided to cut production by closing mills for two days a week in an effort to spur demand and drive up prices.

On raw material supply the president of North India Plywood Manufacturers Association said that as there has been active plantation establishement in recent years and he is hopeful the supply issue will be overcome in next 3 to 4 years. However, plymills now have to compete for raw materials with new MDF and particleboard mills.

See: https://plyinsight.com/curtailing-production-in-the-plywood-sector-will-be-decisive/
April 2023 issue

MDF production increasing
Plyreporter has said the construction and furniture sectors in India are booming with many new production lines coming on-stream. This has driven up demand for particleboard and MDF.

Plyreporter says demand for MDF is good and is growing at between 35-40% annually. The trade journal also said particleboard production capacity is forecast to rise 20% in 2023. 2022 was excellent for the particleboard industry with rising demand mainly from ready-made furniture manufacturers.

See: https://www.plyreporter.com/MDF-particle-board/market-buzz

JICA loan for forestry
On behalf of Japan, JICA signed a loan agreement with the Government of India to provide loans of up to a total of Yen 426,814 million for four projects, one of which is for Forest and Biodiversity Conservation for Climate Change Response in West Bengal.

The object of this forestry project is to mitigate and adapt to climate change, conserve, and restore ecosystems by ecosystem-based climate change measures, biodiversity conservation and restoration, livelihood improvement activities and institutional strengthening thereby contributing to sustainable socio-economic development in West Bengal. The Executing Agency will be the Department of Forests, Government of West Bengal.

See: https://www.jica.go.jp/english/news/press/2022/20230329_33.html

7. VIETNAM

 Wood and Wood Product (W&WP) trade highlights
The Department of Customs has reported W&WP exports to the US market in April 2023 were valued at US$584 million, down 38% compared to April 2022. In the first 4 months of 2023 W&WP exports to the US market are estimated at US$1.97 billion, down 41% over the same period in 2022. W&WP exports to Canada in April 2023 were recorded at US$16.3 million, down 32% compared to April 2022.

In the first 4 months of 2023 W&WP exports to the Canadian market are estimated at US$57.6 million, down 35.7% over the same period in 2022.

Exports of bedroom and dining room furniture in April 2023 are estimated at US$184.1 million, down 39% compared to April 2022. In the first 4 months of 2023 exports of bedroom and dining room furniture amounted to US$623 million, down 44% over the same period in 2022.

Vietnam's imports of oak wood in April 2023 are estimated at 27,300 cu.m, worth US$14.8 million, up 3.2% in volume and 3.1% in value compared to March 2023.

Compared to April 2022, imports increased by 18% in volume and 15% in value. In the first 4 months of 2023 oak imports are estimated at 79,100 cu.m, worth US$43.8 million, up 6.4% in volume but down 0.6% in value over the same period in 2022.

Imports of logs and sawnwood (raw wood) from the EU to Vietnam in April 2023 showed a third consecutive month of increase, reaching 58,000 cu.m at a value of US$18.0 million, up 11% in volume and 13% in value compared to March 2023; but down 14% in volume and 20% in value compared to April 2022. In the first 4 months of 2023, imports of raw wood from the EU was recorded at 192,310 cu.m at a value of US$58.82 million, down 17% in volume and 20% in value over the same period in 2022.

Exports of office furniture gloomy
Of office furniture, tables and cabinets are the 2 main items topping exports. In the first 3 months of 2023 exports of these 2 items accounts for 77% of the total export value of office furniture.

Vietnam's office furniture exports in April 2023 were valued at US$23 million, down 27% compared to April 2022. In the first 4 months of 2023 office furniture exports reached US$86.3 million, down 32% over the same period in 2022.

In the first 4 months of 2023, W&WP imports accounted for US$665 million, down 30.3% over the same period in 2022.

Leading the exports was tables with an export value of US$22.3 million, down 36% over the same period in 2022. Table products were exported mainly to the US market in the first 3 months of 2023, reaching US$12 million, down 42% over the same period in 2022; followed by Japan, China and the EU.

Exports of cabinets in the first 3 months of 2023 reached US$21.1 million, down 44% over the same period in 2022 and accounted for 38% of total export earnings from office furniture. Cabinet products are exported mostly to the US, Japan and the UK.

In addition, in the first 3 months of 2023 other office furniture export items included desks, bookshelves, chairs, study desks and computer desks. Notably, exports of office chairs recorded a high growth in the first 3 months of 2023, reaching US$1.6 million, up over 200% over the same period in 2022.

Exports of living and dining room furniture
As the global economy slows demand for living and dining room furniture in the major markets such as the US, EU, UK and Japan has weakened. Accordingly, exports turnover of this WP category continue are set to decline further in the coming months.

Vietnamese manufacturers are being encouraged to expand and diversify export markets, explore new and potential markets, such as India, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America, Eastern Europe. At the same time, they should attempt to promote the effective utilization of free trade agreements Vietnam has concluded to promote this industry in the coming time.

Along with wekening international demand the reopening of China has also created additional competitive pressure on the wood product industry, especially Vietnam's furniture sector as China is still the world's largest exporter of wooden furniture.

The Vietnam Timber and Forest Products Association (Viforest) forecasts that, with the current growth rate exports of wood and wood products in the first half of 2023 will fall by around 30% over the same period last year. However, opportunities are still available if wood businesses seek to expand markets and improve competitiveness, focusing on product price criteria in Vietnam at reasonable levels for consumers, products following tastes, quality products, and good after-sales policy.

Along with that is restructuring and reorganising the production of enterprises, focusing on technological innovation, perfecting the production management system and improving the efficiency and quality of human resources.

The sector has been advised to step up production using domestic raw materials to reduce costs.

Faced with great difficulties in the market due to highglobal inflation, Vietnam's exports of wood and wood products are falling sharply. Vietnam's wood industrystrives to find new markets. The fact shows that in the past time, the Vietnamese wood industry has been trying to find and expand to new and potential markets such as India, and the Middle East.

At the end of April, more than 50 Vietnamese furniture enterprises joined together the webinar "Indian furniture export market: Market size and export potential", organised by the Handicraft and Woodworking Association of Ho Chi Minh City (HAWA).

In 2022 the Indian furniture market was worth US$23.12 billion and is predicted to grow at a CAGR of 11% from 2023 to 2028. The size and demand of the furniture market are increasing, and India is considered a potential new market for Vietnamese furniture exporters.

See:https://vietnamagriculture.nongnghiep.vn/vietnams-woodindustry-strives-to-find-new-markets-d350081.html

Imports of padouk from Africa
Vietnam's imports of padouk from African sources accounted for 89% of total imports of this highly valued timber from all sources in the first 3 months of 2023 reaching 32,800 cu.m, worth US$10.1 million, up 3.5% in volume and 8.2% in value over the same period in 2022.

Of which imports from Angola increased by 197%; Namibia rose by 5%; Equatorial Guinea increased by 264% and Mozambique by over 2,000% year-on-year.

In contrast, imports from Laos decreased by 59.7% in volume and 63.3% in value over the same period in 2022, reaching 2.4 thousand cu.m, worth US$2.5 million, accounting for 6.5% of total imports.

Padouk sawn wood and log imports
In the first 3 months of 2023 imports of sawn padouk totalled 32,500 cu.m, worth US$11.8 million, down 8% in volume and 23% in value over the same period in 2022.

At the same time, padouk log imports reached 4,4000 cu.m worth US$1.5 million, down 8% in volume and 15% in value over the same period in 2022.

Padouk price fluctuations
The average import price for padouk wood in the first 3 months of 2023 stood at US$362/cu.m, down 16% over the same period in 2022. Imports of padouk from Laos fell 9.0% year on year in the first quarter US$1,051/cu.m;prices from Thailand fell 17% to US$475/cu.m; Papua New Guinea down 1% to US$330.0/cu.m.

Padouk suppliers
In the first 3 months of 2023,the volume of padouk imported into Vietnam from Africa and Thailand increased compared to the same period in 2022 while imports from Laos, Hong Kong, Papua New Guinea, China dropped.

8. BRAZIL

 Furniture sector alerted on EUDR
The Brazilian furniture sector has been alerted to the risks
to businesses from the recent European Union regulation
that prohibits its member countries importing wood
products unless it can be shown that the raw materialused
in manufacture did not come from forests that were
deforested or degraded.

When the regulation is implemented exporters need to
present certificates proving the origin of the raw material
including GPS coordinates and the guarantees of respect
for human rights, especially those of indigenous people.

Against this background ABIMÓVEL (Brazilian
Association of Furniture Industries) stressed the need for
certification of raw materials and production processes in
the Brazilian furniture industry. The adoption of certified
wood from sustainable forest management is already an
obligation within the sector. With more than 20,000 native
timber species in natural forests Brazilian tropical timber
has an important place in the furniture sector.

See: https://forestnews.com.br/setor-moveleiro-industrias-leiuniao-europeia/

Prospects for the forest-based sector in Rondônia
Representatives of the private sector, public authorities
and NGOs recently gathered in Rondônia, to discuss the
current and future prospects for production forests in the
state. Rondônia is the third largest wood producing state in
the Amazon region.

The event "Rondônia's Forest Sector: opportunities for
sectoral planning" was organised by the Institute of Forest
and Agricultural Management and Certification
(Imaflora).

During the meeting, the study "Evolution of the forestbased
industry in Rondônia and opportunities for sectoral
planning and for the conservation of production forests",
published by Imaflora, was launched.

This is a comprehensive study on the development of the forest sectory in Rondônia State which seeks to shed light on sector dynamics, identify the main bottlenecks and present perspectives and development opportunities.

Among the main recommendations was creating a territorial plan for Rondônia State as a solution to further development of responsible forest management in large production forests located in public land areas through forest concessions and community forest management. The event was successful in that it brought together the main relevant players in the timber sector in the state for a discussion on the challenges that are posed to the sustainability of the forest-based industry in the long term.

See: https://www.imaflora.org/noticia/rondonia-o-terceiro-maior-produtor-de-madeira-da-regiao-amazonica-recebeu-evento-para-debater-o-cenario-atual-e-perspectivas-para-o-setor-de-base-florestal

Teak wood shipped from Port of Outeiro
The Atlântica Matapi Group, a company specialised in logistics in the Amazon, made its first shipment of teak (Tectona grandis) logs produced in forest plantations. A total of 11,500 tonnes of wood were shipped to India. The teak shipped is from plantations, which can take 25 to 30 years to reach the ideal age of harvesting, is widely used in Asia.

The shipment departed the Port of Outeiro, Belém Municipality, in the state of Pará one of the main tropical timber producing states in the Amazon Region. According to Matapi, the advantages of this port are quick vessel turn round and competitive costs.

The partnership between Matapi and a major teak producing company in the region gained strength in 2023. In the coming months fifteen export shipments are planned which may total about 200,000 tonnes of teak..

See: https://www.portosenavios.com.br/noticias/portos-e-logistica/matapi-embarca-teca-de-madeira-no-porto-de-outeiro

Timber exports drop in the first quarter of the year
Timber exports from the State of Pará, in the Amazon Region ended the first quarter of this year lower than in the same period last year. In total, export sales were worth US$57.3 million in the first quarter, down 47% year on year despite a 2% increase in the volume shipped.

See: https://www.portalsantarem.com.br/noticias/conteudo/exportacoes-de-madeira-fecham-1-trimestre-em-queda/135219

Overall export prices suffered a strong retraction and closed March with an average of US$804 per tonne, which represented a 36% drop in relation to the previous month according to AIMEX (Association of Timber Exporting Industries in the State of Pará).

9. PERU

 Timber fair in Pucallpa City
The company, Tropical Forest, in cooperation with the Regional Government of Ucayali, the Regional Directorate of Production of Ucayali and the National University of Ucayali will hold a timber fair ‘Tecno Forestal Ucayali’ for the forestry and forest industry sectors.

This fair had been held in the past and now the organisers are relaunching it for September 14 and 15, 2023 and hope to present a wide range of processing machinery for the first and second transformation of wood.

Communities coached on negotiating fair harvesting agreements
It has been reported by the Agency for the Supervision of Forest Resources and Wildlife (OSINFOR) that leaders and representatives of 38 native communities in the regions of Ucayali, Pasco and Loreto strengthened their capacity to achieve fair treatment, within the framework of the law, with third parties in order to ensure they can take advantage of sustainable harvesting in forests under their care.

The trainers traveled to the provinces of Coronel Portillo (Ucayali), Oxapampa (Pasco) and Mariscal Ramón Castilla (Loreto) to conduct three face-to-face workshops with the communities.

The first workshops were held in April in Pucallpa and Puerto Bermúdez, Oxapampa. The final workshop was held in the town of Pebas, Loreto. The topics discussed were community forest management and negotiation and agreements with third parties.

Exchanging data on the forestry sector
In order to optimise the exchange of data between forest sector stakeholders the Organismo de Supervisión de los Recursos Forestales y de Fauna Silvestre (OSINFOR) provided technical assistance to forestry professionals from Ucayali on the use of the SIADO Region, a system that allows to regional authorities to share data on management plans facilitating decision-making and supervision planning.

Use of the system allowed Ucayali, Loreto and Madre de Dios to meet the deadline date for submission of management plans.