The UK as whole, according to Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS), is ‘far too vulnerable’ to fluctuations in the global timber market. However, the FLS says that Scotland is well placed to ‘mitigate’ the risk by stepping up its commercial forestry sector.
News in international markets
Glennon Brothers Awarded Forestry and Land Scotland Contract
Thanks to a new contract awarded by the Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS), Glennon Brothers, a timber processor in Troon, will be able to create 25 new jobs by adding a third shift at their sister business Alexanders Timber Design.
U.S. Court of International Trade Rules Quick Tariff Reviews Overstepped Commerce Dept. Authority
A rule that allowed foreign producers, such as Canadian lumber producers, to quickly apply for lower countervailing duty rates if they weren’t individually investigated by the U.S. Commerce Department in its original duty inquiry has been eliminated in a decision handed down by the U.S. Court of International Trade.
Kangaroo Island Plantation Timber to Convert 18,000 Hectares of Softwoods to an Agricultural Estate
Having had its proposal to construct a deep-water port on the north coast of Kangaroo Island rejected by the South Australian government, Kangaroo Island Plantation Timber (KIPT) Chairman Paul McKenize announced that KIPT would immediately convert its 18,000 hectares of softwood to an agricultural estate.
U.S. Wood Pellet Exports in June Exceed 603,752 Metric Tons and $82.96 Million in Value
According to data released on August 5, 2021 by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), the United States exported 603,752.2 metric tons of wood pellets in June — up from 513,608 metric tons in May but down from 684,030.2 metric tons in June 2020.
Japanese Housing Starts Post 4th Consecutive Monthly Gains
Total housing starts in Japan posted their fourth consecutive monthly increase in June, rising 7.3% to 76,312 units. Owner occupied housing increased 10.6%, while rental housing rose 11.8%.
Swiss Krono Group Invests $273.5 Million Towards the Construction of Russia’s Largest OSB Plant
The Russian News Agency, TASS, on Wednesday (8-4-21), reported that the Swiss Krono Group is making an investment of approximately 20 billion rubles ($273.5 million) towards the construction of Russia’s largest oriented strand board (OSB) plant in Sharya, located in the Kostroma Region.
Brazilian Exports of Wood-Based Products Increased 82% Year-Over-Year in June 2021
According to the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO), the value of Brazilian exports of wood-based products (except pulp and paper) increased 82% in value year-over-year from US$216.9 million in June 2020, to US$394.3 million in June 2021.
U.S. Becomes Fourth Largest Export Market for Sarawak Plywood
Japan has long been the number one export market for Sarawak plywood, produced in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. However, demand in Japan has been weakened by depressed prices due to stiff competition from Indonesian suppliers and Japanese produced softwood plywood. The U.S. is now the fourth largest export market for Sarawak plywood.
Morgan Sawmill Owners Hope to Help Alleviate Structural Timber Shortage
Australia’s Federal Government’s Home Builder Scheme, which was launched more than 12 months ago in response to the coronavirus pandemic, is running into a structural timber shortage which is threatening to detail the state’s housing boom. Morgan Sawmill located in Jamestown is proposing to build a second mill, located in Dublin, capable of producing enough structural lumber to build about 500 homes a year.