16 July 2013: The International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) has launched the 1-15 July edition of the Tropical Timber Market (TTM) Report, with this issue highlighting an error in European Union (EU) reports on furniture imports from Indonesia. In particular, January import statistics to Belgium were reported at Euro 200 million while actual imports are expected to be Euro 4-5 million. Also concerning furniture imports in Europe, the report notes challenges in implementing the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR) within the furniture industry.

Other stories featured in the report and in regard to Asia note that: consumer confidence has dropped in Japan; imports of Sarawak by the Philippines and Thailand reached 76,000 cubic meters; Myanmar expects upcoming reductions in teak harvests, and China has planned the establishment of beech plantations.

Elsewhere, the report suggests that an increase in US home sales can be expected to lead to increased furniture imports. In Brazil, an article explains that tax increases in the country are putting pressure on wood product manufacturers. Finally, the publication highlights the opening of negotiations for a voluntary partnership agreement (VPA) with the EU by Cote d’Ivoire.

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 issue 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 13]