European tropical imports disappointing this year

EU imports of tropical wood products have been subdued so far in 2018 with little sign yet of any rebound from the downturn in 2017.

Chart 1 shows twelve monthly rolling total imports (to iron out seasonal fluctuations) into the EU of all tropical wood products listed in HS Chapter 44 (excluding fuelwood, wood waste and chips).

It shows that imports peaked at an annualised level of 2.17 million metric tonnes (MT) in September 2016, slipped to a low of 1.94 million MT in March this year and had recovered only slightly, to 1.98 million MT by June.

In total, the EU imported 1.06 million MT of tropical wood products in the first half of 2018, 1.6% more than the same period in 2017. The total value of EU imports of tropical wood products in the January to June 2018 period was €1.10 billion, 3% less than the same period in 2017.

Although there have been gains in EU imports of tropical sawnwood, charcoal, mouldings and joinery products this year, these have been offset by a large decline in imports of tropical veneers, flooring, and other tertiary products, and a more moderate decline in imports of tropical plywood.