According to the International Tropical Timber Organization, in December, Brazilian exports of wood-based products (except pulp and paper) declined 34.0% in value compared to a year ago, falling from US$423.2 million in December 2021 to US$278.8 million in December 2022.
News in international markets
Holmen Announces Investment in Its Bygdsiljum, Sweden, Sawmill to Increase CLT Production
Sweden’s Holmen announced on Tuesday (1-31-23) that it was planning an extension and investment at its Bygdsiljum Sawmill, which will help remove bottlenecks at the facility and increase CLT production.
South Africa’s SA Forestry Co. to Prioritize Log Supplies to Local Processing Companies
In response to sustained high demand for logs that continues to outpace supply, South Africa’s third largest state-owned enterprise, the SA Forestry Company (Safcol), has vowed to prioritize the supply of logs to companies that process local and employ local people.
Södra Announces Timber Price Hikes
Södra Skogsägarna, trading as Södra, a forestry cooperative based in Växjö, Sweden, announced on Thursday that it was raising the price of mainly normal spruce and pine timber purchased by members by SEK 30 per cubic meter, effective immediately.
Timberlink Expanding Mill in Tarpeena, Australia
An investment of $90 million (A$) will fund the expansion of Timberlink’s Tarpeena, Australia, mill. The investment includes a $63 million manufacturing plant that will produce cross-laminated timber (CLT) and glue laminated timber (GLT) for the construction industry.
Fierce Dry Lightning Storm Sparks Dozens of Bushfires in Western Australia
On Monday, a fierce summer dry lightning storm struck southern Western Australia with an estimated 300,000 lightning strikes. As a result, dozens of bushfires have been sparked and a large response of firefighters and emergency crews, aided by aerial support, is currently underway.
Masisa S.A. Announces Exit From Argentina
Masisa S.A., a wood products company headquartered in Chile, announced on December 29, 2022, that it had liquidated all of its assets in Argentina and was immediately ceasing all of its operations there. Masisa S.A. indicated the liquidation was part of its strategic plan.
US Wood Pellet Exports Declined Month-Over-Month and Year-Over-Year in November 2022
According to data released on Thursday by the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, the US exported 694,199.7 metric tons of wood pellets in November. This is down from 750,989.2 metric tons in October and down year-over-year from 764,259.6 metric tons in November 2021.
New Zealand Farmers Push Back Against Afforestation Plans
A group of New Zealand farmers is trying to raise $45 million (NZD) (£25m) to purchase a large North Island farm, or station, from being purchased by overseas investors to prevent it from potentially being turned into a carbon forest. The 5000ha Mangaohane Station is a livestock farm.
Belarus to Increase Rail Shipments to China
The Belarusian Telegraph Agency (BelTA), Belarus’ largest news agency, reported on Thursday that the country is increasing freight shipments to China via rail.