Timber processors, forestland owners, contractors and forestry companies in Ireland have been struggling for the past two year to obtain felling (timber cutting and road access) licenses which has led to both supply and employment problems. This as the markets for sawn timber at home and in the UK are good because of shortages from traditional lumber suppliers.
News in international markets
Even with Increased Production Australian Sawmills Struggle to Keep Up with Soaring Demand
The Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) continues to reassure builders and homeowners that they are doing everything possible to supply as much construction timber to meet soaring demand. AFPA CEO Ross Hampton said that the domestic timber industry supplies around 80% of the timber used in home construction and has ramped up production to keep up with the record demand.
Russia Turns to Timber to Ease Reliance on Oil and Natural Gas Exports
Russia is looking for a way to lower its economic reliance on oil and natural gas exports, which currently makes up almost 50% of the country’s total export volume. It is also looking for a way to improve its environmental image in the world as well. Russian timber is preparing to take the lead on both the economic and environmental fronts.
Capesize Vessels Pressed into Service to Transport Logs and Save Shippers Money
Lumber traders in an attempt to keep their freight cost under control have started using Capesize vessels. Capesize vessels are the largest class of bulk ships and typically carry cargo such as iron ore, coal, and grain. The name Capesize comes from the fact that they are so large that they cannot pass through the Panama Canal and thus have to sail around the Cape of Good hope to sail between the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean.
EU27 +UK Imports of Plywood Drop for Second Year in a Row
Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the United Kingdom (UK) leaving the European Union (EU) has resulted in the EU27 +UK in -7% decrease of plywood and other woods in 2020, this on the heals of a -14% decline in 2019.
China’s Ban on Imported Logs from Australia Creating Hardship on Australian Timber Industry
Diplomatic ties between Australia and its largest trading partner deteriorated last year after Canberra called for an international inquiry into the source of the coronavirus, angering China. Any hopes of a quick reconciliation have been dashed as Canberra and Beijing have now ensnared bureaucrats, who would usually stay engaged during a temporary disagreement.
Poland Announces Plans to Resume Logging in the former Bialowieza Forest
Poland sighting the need to clear roads and protect trees from the spruce bark beetle has announced it plans to resume logging in the former Bialowieza Forest.
Belarusian Sawmill Kimabel to Add New Timber Sorting Line
The installation of a new timber sorting line, costing as much €3 million, is the latest step in the modernization of the woodworking enterprise OOO KimaBel in Polotsk District, Vitebsk Oblast. The sophisticated timber conversion line can process even round wood that has defects.
Brazilian Exports of Wood-Based Products Increased 22.8% Year-Over-Year in January 2021
According to the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO), the value of Brazilian exports of wood-based products (except pulp and paper) in January 2021 amounted to US$253.6 million, an increase of 22.8% when compared to January 2020, when they were valued at US$206.6 million.
New Support Program to Help with Modernization of German Timber Industry
The new support program for the modernization of the German timber industry, which is being administered by the German Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL), went into effect on Thursday, March 4, 2021. According to the BMEL, one of new programs aims to promote investments in the value-preserving or value-enhancing use of damaged wood and in the promotion of the use of wood as a building material.