EU imports of tropical sawn wood increased 12% to 405,600 MT in the first half of 2019 compared to the same period in 2018. Import value increased 7% to €388.4 million...Imports from Cameroon, particularly slow in the first half of last year, increased 20% to 141,000 MT during the first six months of 2019. Imports also increased sharply from several other countries including Brazil (up 47% to 77,600 MT), Gabon (up 20% to 58,600 MT), Congo (up 38% to 30,200 MT), Ghana (up 17% to 8,800 MT) and DRC (up 32% to 7,300 MT). These gains offset a 29% decline in imports from Malaysia, to 40,900 MT, and a 4% decline from Côte d'Ivoire, 14,200 MT. Please download the report....

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Rise in EU imports of tropical sawnwood

EU imports of tropical sawn wood increased 12% to 405,600 MT in the first half of 2019 compared to the same period in 2018. Import value increased 7% to €388.4 million.

This aligns with market commentary earlier in the year, with sawn hardwood importers reporting generally steady, in some cases strong trading in 2019 including in tropical timber, despite some slowdown in economic activity and increased downside concerns about the medium-term outlook.

During the first half of 2019, EU businesses reported some issues with supply, but overall consumption was holding up while sawn hardwood prices were steady to firm with demand underpinned by construction sector consumption. Imports from Cameroon, particularly slow in the first half of last year, increased 20% to 141,000 MT during the first six months of 2019.

Imports also increased sharply from several other countries including Brazil (up 47% to 77,600 MT), Gabon (up 20% to 58,600 MT), Congo (up 38% to 30,200 MT), Ghana (up 17% to 8,800 MT) and DRC (up 32% to 7,300 MT). These gains offset a 29% decline in imports from Malaysia, to 40,900 MT, and a 4% decline from Côte d'Ivoire, 14,200 MT. (Chart 2).

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