According to the International Tropical Timber Organization the value of Brazilian exports of wood-based products (except pulp and paper) amounted to US$286 million in September 2020, an increase of 20.8% compared with September 2019 (when the value was US$236.6 million).
News in international markets
Australia’s Timber Industry Dealing with Short- and Long-Term Impacts of Recent Bushfires
A public hearing in Australia of the House Standing Committee on Agriculture and Water Resources was held on October 23rd with the purpose of looking into the short- and long-term impacts of the bushfires on Australia’s timber industry.
Holmen Investing in New Tunnel Drier for their Iggesund Sawmill
Holmen AB, the Stockholm Sweden based company, is investing SEK 70 million ($ 8 million) in a new drying plant which will increase its drying capacity at their Iggesund Sawmill from 400,000 to 500,000 m3.
Sawn Softwood Markets Not Excessively Impacted by the World Wide COVID-19 Pandemic
The impacts of COVID-19 on softwood lumber production have been modest.
The United Kingdom Urges Timber Traders to Prepare for Changes Effective at End of 2020
New due diligence checks to ensure timber and timber products have not been illegally harvested will be required by UK.
European Lumber Exports Continue to Grow
European lumber exporters continue to expand their overseas sales markets. Growing them over the past ten years from 30% to 45% and with a fifth of total export production in 2020 going to Asia. Traditionally most of the shipments went to neighboring countries on the continent and about 20% being shipped to the Middle East\Northern Africa, the US and Japan.
European Union Starts Anti-Dumping Procedure on Imported Russian Birch Plywood
Following a complaint brought by the Woodstock Consortium acting on behalf of the Union producers of birch plywood, who represent a majority of the total European Union (EU) production of the product, the EU has launched an anti-dumping procedure for the import of birch plywood from Russia.
U.S. Trade Representative Announces Investigations into Vietnam’s Use of Timber and Currency Undervaluation
The office of the U.S. Trade Representative has announced that they are commencing two investigations under Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act. One investigation will explore Vietnam’s trade policies related to the import and use of timber.
Finland Exports of Forestry Industries Goods Decrease -6% in 2019
According to the Natural Resources Institute of Finland (Luke), in 2019, the value of Finland’s exports totaled 65 billion Euro.
Harvesting of Fire-Damaged Plantations on Kangaroo Island to Begin
Kangaroo Island Plantation Timbers Ltd. (KPT) has advised the three levels of government of its intention to harvest fire-damaged plantations on Kangaroo Island. In order to recover the higher value logs salvage harvesting will being in the area of fire-damaged pine logs.