31 March 2013: The International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) has launched the 16-31 March issue of the Tropical Timber Market (TTM) Report, which reports on the recovery of the US housing market, as well as developments in Asia, Brazil and Europe.

The report highlights the recovery of the housing market in the United States, including a forecast suggesting increasing spending on home remodeling in the country. Also related to the US housing market, the edition includes an article on reductions in the number of home foreclosures in California resulting from new law.

In Asia, the report mentions reports on the launch of Malaysia’s timber legality assurance system (MYTLAS) and the easing of licensing requirements for timber enterprises in Myanmar.

With regard to international cooperation, the report highlights the opening of negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement between Japan and the European Union (EU), as well as a trilateral agreement between China, Japan and the Republic of Korea. The report also mentions cooperation between China and Australia to reduce the trade of illegal timber.

Finally, the report highlights Rio Grande do Sul as Brazil’s leader in furniture exports, and plans by the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR) to consolidate timber trade in the EU.

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 6]