EU27 tropical sawnwood imports down sharply from all major supply countries

EU27 imports of tropical sawnwood declined sharply from all major supply countries in the first eight months of 2020; down 17% YoY from Cameroon to 182,500 m³, 24% YoY from Brazil to 82,200 m³, 16% YoY from Gabon to 67,900 m³, 15% YoY from Malaysia to 59,600 m³, 16% YoY from Congo to 33,800 m³, 33% YoY from Côte d’Ivoire to 15,800 m³, and 23% YoY from Ghana to 12,200 m³.

However Ecuador bucked the downward trend, with EU27 imports from the country rising 15% YoY to 16,600 m³, much destined Denmark and likely driven by strong demand for balsa for wind turbines. Imports of sawnwood from Indonesia also increased slightly, by 11% YoY to 5,500 m³, but this follows a 74% reduction in 2018.