The latest issue of the European Timber Trade Federation (ETTF) newsletter suggests firm industry support for the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR), although not without criticism of some aspects of implementation. It also reports on a range of initiatives linking the public, corporate, and NGO sectors to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the regulation.
Continue reading “ETTF Newsletter Highlights Strong Trade Support for EUTR – ITTO European Market Report 15th February 2015”EU Joinery Sector Flatlines – ITTO European Market Report 30th January 2015
A single word describes the current state of the joinery sector in Europe. That word is “flat”. It’s also a reasonable description of the state of the European economy as a whole. There are a few bright spots – notably the UK – but not enough to offset slow demand elsewhere.
Continue reading “EU Joinery Sector Flatlines – ITTO European Market Report 30th January 2015”Stasis in EU Tropical Hardwood Imports in 2014 – ITTO European Market Report 15th January 2015
The latest Eurostat trade data to end October 2014 shows that tropical hardwood imports into the EU last year were only marginally better than the historically low levels recorded in the previous two years. Various factors account for this lack of import growth including lacklustre performance of the construction and joinery sectors in much of Europe during 2014, supply constraints and logistical problems (particularly for shipments out of Douala port in Cameroon), and the EU Timber Regulation which has encouraged buyers to focus on a more limited range of tropical suppliers to meet legality due diligence requirements.
Continue reading “Stasis in EU Tropical Hardwood Imports in 2014 – ITTO European Market Report 15th January 2015”