Softwood producers target Indian market

The fast-growing Indian market has caught the attention of softwood producers in North America and Europe. Tropical hardwoods are generally preferred in India, but with tropical supplies tight, especially of teak logs, Indian manufacturers increasingly use temperate hardwoods and even softwoods.    More than half of the wood consumption is in doors, windows, furniture and millwork, where manufacturers have started to substitute hardwoods with softwood species. New Zealand has exported pine logs to India for many years now, but a more recent trend is the import of higher-value sawn softwood.    The ...