1 December 2014: The International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) launched the 16-30 November issue of the Tropical Timber Market (TTM) Report highlighting the entry into force of the new due diligence requirements within the Government of Australia’s illegal logging laws. Other additions to the laws include a chain of custody scheme and specific guidelines for the State of New South Wales.

The bulletin also reports that furniture accounts for the largest portion of timber exports from Malaysia, while in Japan, the drop in housing starts in October was lower than expected. Elsewhere in Asia, the TTM Report notes that the sale of red sanders in India will proceed following the conclusion of a court case seeking to prevent it. Finally, in Myanmar, a surprise announcement extends the recent move towards private sector engagement in the timber sector with a commitment to privatize the Myanma Timber Enterprise.

The report also reveals that door exports from Peru increased by six times over the same period last year and in Guyana, rosewood interests from Asian markets are resulting in choice prices for exports. In Europe, the wood flooring market is slowing while laminate manufacturers explore future trends for ‘shabby chic’, ‘vintage’, and ‘Scandinavian’ style flooring.

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 is published through the ITTO Market Information Service (MIS). [Publication: Tropical Timber Market Report – Volume 18 Number 22, 16th – 30th November 2014]