According to the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO), in January 2022, the value of Brazilian exports of wood-based products (except pulp and paper) increased 52% in value compared to January 2021, from US$254.4 million to US$387.1 million. Pine sawnwood exports grew significantly.
News in international markets
What’s Old is Suddenly New Again: Moving Roundwood Timbers by Rail in the U.K.
For the first time in 18 years, roundwood timbers have been successfully transported and delivered by rail to Pontrilas Sawmills in Herefordshire, England. Euroforest Ltd., an independent timber harvesting company, and Colas Rail delivered 400 tons of roundwood timbers from Newton Abbot in Devon to the sawmill site.
Potential Impacts of Russia-Ukraine Conflict on Softwood Log and Lumber Markets
Sanctions on Russia will severely limit its ability to participate in international trade, but the impacts to its softwood log and lumber trade are likely to be less affected than other industries.
Australia’s Farm Forestry Assistant Program Supports Local Softwood Plantation Industry
Australia’s Forestry Minister Dave Kelly has launched the Farm Forestry Assistant program (FFAP) for 2022. The program supports farmers and landowner who wish to plant pine trees on their land.
Stora Enso to Invest 9 Million Euros in Automated Cross-Laminated Timber Coating Line at Ybbs, Austria Sawmill
Stora Enso announced on Friday (2-11-22) that it will be investing 9 million euros in an automated cross-laminated timber (CLT) coating line at their Ybbs sawmill in Austria. In the news release, the company said the investment will further strengthen its position as a leading global provider of engineered wood products for low carbon, sustainable buildings.
Timberlink Investing Millions to Upgrade Tarpeena Sawmill and Construct New CLT/GLT Plant
Timberlink’s Tarpeena sawmill, located in South Australia, is undergoing a multi-million-dollar expansion. The project will include an upgrade the existing sawmill and the construction of Australia’s first cross laminated timber (CLT) and glue laminated timber (GLT) manufacturing plant, which will be co-located on the sawmill’s site.
U.S. Wood Pellet Exports Up Month-Over-Month and Year-Over-Year in December 2021
According to data released on Tuesday, February 8, 2022, by the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service, the U.S. exported 774,410.2 metric tons of wood pellets in December. This up from 764,259.6 metric tons in November, and up 564,826.2 metric tons in December 2020.
U.K.’s James Jones & Sons Ltd Acquires a Majority Share in Australia’s Mayflower Enterprises Pty Ltd
James Jones & Sons Ltd., a family-owned and managed forest products company, now under its 5th generation of leadership and operating from 27 locations strategically located across the UK, recently announced that it has acquired approximately 60% of the shares in Mayflower Enterprises Pty Ltd., located in Australia. Mayflower Enterprises is the holding company of Hyne Timber and XLam.
Timber Import Volume into the U.K. Appears to be Returning to Traditional Winter Consumption Level
According to the latest Timber Trade Federation (TTF) statistics, timber and panel product import volumes into the United Kingdom continued to show a steady decline in Q4 2021, as a more regular demand pattern returns to the marketplace. TTF statistics reveal that the volume of timber and panel products imported into the UK declined month-over-month between October and November 2021 by 158,000 m3.
Swedish Sawmills Set New Production Records in 2021
According to a press release from Swedish Wood, a publication that represents the Swedish sawmill industry and is part of the Swedish Forest Industries Federation, 2021 was a record year for Swedish sawmill production. The expectations for 2021 of 18.8 million cubic meters were exceeded, and the year ended at just over 19 million cubic meters of production.