In October 2019, the Brazilian exports of wood-based products (except pulp and paper) declined almost 27% in value compared to October 2018, from US$272.5 million to US$199.1 million. The value of pine sawnwood exports dropped by a third between October 2018 (US$50.4 million) and October 2019 (US$33.5 million). In terms…
The Holzindustrie Schweighofer Group has given itself a new name and presents itself with a gentle relaunch of the brand identity: The Holzindustrie Schweighofer Group becomes the “HS Timber Group”. The production units of the group, ie the three sawmills and a solid wood plant in Romania (Sebes, Radauti, Reci, Siret)…
Hundreds of people protested on Friday in front of the Vienna Ministry of Environment, against cutting down forests in Romania, organizers demanding Austrian companies take responsibility. Representatives of Agent Green, organizers of the protest, say they brought the message “Save Romanian Primary Forest” to Vienna. “Surprise today in Vienna, where…
The year 2019 is marked by falling roundwood prices in large parts of Central, Northern and Eastern Europe. In particular, the spruce is under price pressure due to extensive bark beetle infestation, even in countries such as Estonia, which themselves have not encountered damage by the bark beetle. From August…
The EU FLEGT Facility has issued a briefing note that draws lessons from three years of Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) licensing in Indonesia. Indonesia was the first country in the world to start issuing FLEGT licences in 2016. From November 2016 to July 2019, Indonesia issued a…
After nine months, the German timber trade sector increase its sales across all assortments by 2.5%, according to the German Timber Trade Federation (GD Holz). Cumulatively, sales of planed wood were up by 7%, building components (interior doors) by 5.5% and garden wood by 3.5%. Wood-based panels sales achieved an increase…
An Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) report released today highlights continued growth in Australia’s forestry sector thanks to strong export performance. ABARES acting Executive Director, Peter Gooday, said Australian forest and wood products statistics, March and June quarters 2019 reported the fifth consecutive year of…
On 31 October 2019, the European Commission published the 2018 edition of its Annual Report on Forest Fires in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. According to the report, wildfires destroyed nearly 178 000 hectares (ha) of forests and land in the EU last year. While this is less than…
Conifex Timber announced that the agent for its lumber segment lenders approved in principle Conifex’s proposed asset divestment and restructuring plan. According to the announcement, the plan also provides additional credit support to Conifex to fund operations while it implements its asset divestiture plan. Pursuant to the plan, Conifex will…
The US Trade Representative (USTR) has indicated that laminated bamboo plywood (HS 44121005), thin plywood measuring less than 66 mm (HS 44123141155), and rattan for hand-made souvenirs (HS 46021223) are eligible for cuts in Generalized System of Preferences tariffs on exports to the US. US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said…
