A national strike by IBAMA employees over pensions and career development was called on May 4 and put a freeze on the issuing of permits for log transportation and exports. The action has now ended.
One UK trader said several hundred cubic metres of hardwood had been held up in Brazil for “a long time” and described the situation as “frustrating”. He said a range of species was affected and products included decking.
“We are waiting for a shipment and we have waited too long,” he said. “There are a number of people waiting for the product.”
He said he was unsure of the status of the shipment and was awaiting confirmation.
Another trader, Livepool-based Hardwood Timber Sales recently supplied Brazilian garapa decking in a £25,000 contract. The company wants to source more garapa because of its quality, but director John McCoy said strike action was a concerning development.
London-based Ecochoice Ltd, which supplies a variety of certified Brazilian timbers, said it was not affected by the strike because of its large stocks held in Holland.
But Ecochoice director Mike Bekin said Brazil suffered from frequent strikes, and not just by IBAMA. He said a customs and excise strike was called last week in the large Amazon port of Manaus, which is used for timber exports.
“Importing from Brazil is full of challenges,” he said.
Meanwhile, a Brazilian timber trader told TTJ: “The strike caused a major problem in the forests and at ports. Shipments stopped completely.”
