EU tropical timber imports fall 12%
5 February 2013EU tropical sawn timber imports dropped 12% to 778,000m3 in the first nine months of 2012, according to the International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO).
ITTO says the level of imports last year (with Q4's figures still to come) was almost certain to be lower than in 2009 - the previous low point due to the financial crisis.
Imports from Malaysia suffered the most (-31%), while Brazilian shipments were down 15%, as the EU continued to focus tropical wood purchases on African countries.
EU imports of tropical hardwood mouldings also fell sharply, though laminated tropical hardwood imports held steady.
