News in international markets

Mercer recently announced the launch of its program “Growing forests – Growing a future” to support forest owners in Germany. Mercer Holz, the wood purchasing organization of Mercer, is committed to partner with forest owners in Germany to sustain the longevity of their forests.

Stora Enos OYJ announced Wednesday that intends to consolidate its book paper production and permanently close one of the two paper machines at its Anjala facility in Finland. The company cited the prevailing weakness in paper demand and high input costs.

According to Dry Cargo International, the Port of Riga, a major port on the east coast of the Baltic Sea in the capital of Latvia, reported forestry and timber industry cargo were the largest cargo group transshipped through the port in 2022.

According to data released by US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service and reporting by Biomass Magazine, the US exported 632,043.8 metric tons of wood pellets in February. This is down from 637,518.4 metric tons in January.

The Finnish forest industry’s foreign trade was negatively impacted in 2022 by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the resulting economic affects. According to Luke, a total of 5.5 million cubic meters of roundwood and forest industry by-products were imported in 2022, a 56% annual drop.

UPM on Monday announced that it has completed its withdrawal from all of its businesses in Russia. UPM is selling all of its Russian operations, including the Chudovo plywood mill, to Gungnir Wooden Products Trading.

Stora Enso today reported that it has completed its previously announced (January 27th) divestment of its paper production site in Hylte, Sweden, to Sweden Timber. Sweden Timber is a Sweden-based sawmill and planing mill company.

According to the International Tropical Timber Organization, Brazilian exports of wood-based products (except pulp and paper) declined 36.0% year-over-year in value in February, from US$413.6 million a year ago to US$264.2 million in February.

New Zealand forestry and timber company OneFortyOne is tackling the country’s nationwide problem of managing forestry slash waste by turning it into biofuel, according to an article by the company appearing in “Stuff.” The challenge became particularly acute after Cyclone Gabrielle in February.

The Forest Stewardship Council® announced Thursday the withdrawal of the remaining forest management certificates in Russia by the respective certification bodies. The move is a result of the decision by Assurance Services International to terminate its FSC assurance activities in Russia.