15 April 2013: The International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) has launched the 1-15 April issue of the Tropical Timber Market (TTM) Report, which highlights a spike in prices and demand for Myanmar teak logs before an export ban goes into effect.

The report also highlights stories on the success of Malaysia’s furniture fair and the shift in timber trade between China and Africa in favor of sawnwood. In Asia, the report notes the lack of benefit from economic stimulus measures for small manufacturers in Japan. This edition of the TTM recounts the entry into force of the Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) between the Republic of the Congo and European Union (EU). Also for the EU, the report states that consumption of sawnwood is unlikely to increase this year.

Furthermore, the report introduces Brazil’s forest tracking system and notes the increased demand in North America for ‘environmentally certified’ furniture.

In addition to the headline stories, the report contains tropical timber market reports from Brazil, China, Ghana, Guyana, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar and Peru. The report further recounts regional tropical timber market statistics from Central and West Africa, Europe and North America.

The TTM Report is published through the ITTO Market Information Service (MIS) with the aim of improving transparency in the international tropical timber market. [Publication: Tropical Timber Market Report – Issue 17 Number 7] [ITTO-MIS Website]