According to the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO), the value of Brazilian exports of wood-based products (except pulp and paper) increased 41.4% in value year-over-year from US$292.5 million in August 2020 to US$413.6 million in August 2021.
News in international markets
U.S. and Vietnam Reach Agreement Over Illegally Harvested and Traded Timber
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) said in an emailed statement on Friday (10-1-21) that the U.S. and Vietnam have reached an agreement over illegally harvested and traded timber that will see Vietnam avert punitive tariffs in the process.
Lumber Shortages Threaten to Derail Australia’s Home Building Boom
Australia is facing a lumber shortage, similar to the one that negatively impacted home building in North American earlier this year. According to a report from the Master Builders Australia and Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA), the Land Down Under could be facing a deficit of 250,000 wooden house frame packages over the next 15 years if efforts are not made to plant more trees.
Swedish Wood Manufacturer VIDA Investing 10 Milliion Euros in 6 Valutec Continuous Kilns
VIDA, a global supplier of manufactured wood products from sustainable Swedish forests, has announced that it is investing over 10 million Euros in Valutec continuous kilns that will be installed at 6 of the group’s sawmills.
Vietnam Exports of Wood and Wood Products up 54% Year-Over-Year in First Seven Months of 2021
Vietnam is reporting the wood and wood product (W&WP) exports during the first seven months of 2021 reached US$9.26 billion, up 54% year-over-year (July 2020 to July 2021). Vietnam imported US$1.81 billion of W&WP in the first 7 months of 2021, up 39% against the same period of 2020.
Oldendorff Carriers Post-Panamax to Load Logs from New Zealand
A deal between South Pacific Shipping (SPS) and Oldendorff Carriers has been finalized. “A Post-Panamax will carry underdeck twice the volume of a conventional logger but will not require any fumigation by Methyl Bromide as no logs will be carried on deck.”
Logie Timber Expansion to Create New Jobs While Cutting Its Carbon Footprint
Logie Timber, located in the town of Forres, Moray County, Scotland, is a full-cycle timber business. The company carries out milling and finishing and makes products including cladding, decking posts, and beams. Logie has embarked on a £1.2million expansion that will lead to the creation of four new jobs as well as increasing its turnover and cutting its carbon footprint.
Australian Government to Provide $15.1 Million Freight Subsidy to Transport Logs off of Kangaroo Island
The Australian government is set to provide a $15.1 million (A$) freight subsidy to companies transporting logs off of Kangaroo Island. The subsidy will aid in the movement of salvaged logs from bushfire-affected plantations on Kangaroo Island to sawmills, on the South Australian mainland, that currently have immediate capacity to process logs into structural timbers.
Ikea’s Owner Purchases 5500 Hectares of New Zealand Farmland with Plans to Plant it into Forestland
Ingka Group, which owns retail giant Ikea, has purchased 5500 hectares of Otago, New Zealand farmland that it plans to plant into forest. In August, the Overseas Investment Office approved the purchase of Wisp Hill buy the Ingka Group.
Ukraine May Allow Export of Roundwood and Green Lumber by Year’s End
The adoption of a Ukraine law that would permit the export of roundwood and green lumber is anticipated to have final approval prior to the end of the year. As written, the new law does not pose a significant threat to the country’s forest resources and relate businesses.