1 August 2013: The International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) launched the 16-31 July issue of the Tropical Timber Market (TTM) Report, which highlights the proposed increase in import duties on timber in India. According to the article, the Government of India is proposing an increase in import duties to offset its US$50 billion trade deficit; some are concerned that this will negatively impact the timber and forestry sector.

Other headline stories in the TTM Report include the announcement of International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) work on environmental product declarations (EPDs) for meranti plywood, ipe decking and khaya lumber. Also presented is the August 2013 dialogue on trade in legal timber and timber products from Indonesia.

With regard to markets, the report emphasizes increases in wood product exports from Brazil, decreases in European Union (EU) tropical timber imports and the participation of the Japanese government as well as private companies from Japan in Trans-Pacific Partnership talks.

Other headline stories cover a learning exchange between plantation executives from Peru and Chile, and the entry into force of new phytosanitary regulations in Mexico. Finally, the issue discusses the removal of many wood products from China’s import certification processes as well as the removal of certification requirements on wood products in-transit through China, unless they are off-loaded and re-loaded.

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 also 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 14]