[Index]
FOREST PRODUCTS MARKETS DISPLAY GROWTH IN
CIS AND SOME CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES, BUT TURNED DOWN IN 2001
IN UNECE REGION: UPTURN BEGINS IN SOME MARKETS IN 2002
Geneva, 10 September 2002
- Viable forest products markets, supported by policy reforms, underpin sustainable
development in some central and eastern European countries' forest and forest
products sector, as evidenced by their having become significant players in
international forest products markets.
- Following 10 years of growth, consumption of primary-processed forest products
in the UNECE region declined sharply in 2001, falling by 3% overall, the greatest
one-year drop since the1970s oil crises and 1990s break-up of the USSR.
- European and North American pulp and paper markets began to show signs of
an upturn during the first half of 2002.
- In contrast to developments in the other subregions of the UNECE region,
consumption of wood products in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)
subregion, notably the Russian Federation, gained 7% in 2001, approximately
the same as in 2000.
- Due only to the extraordinary strength of the United States housing-related
demand for wood products, the North American subregion did not sink to further
depths in 2001.
- Consumption of sawnwood fell in the UNECE region in 2001, by 4% for both
softwoods and hardwoods; United States production decreases opened the door
for increased imports from Canada, despite continuing trade disputes, and
European countries as well as for growing volumes from southern hemisphere,
plantation-based suppliers.
- Market effects from Europe's catastrophic windstorms in late 1999 continued
to influence wood raw materials and some primary processing sectors in 2001.
- Influenced by a strong dollar in 2001, trade patterns and competitive positions
will change in 2002 with the fall in value against the euro and the yen.
- Structural change is occurring in United States and western European furniture
manufacturing as production decreases rapidly, replaced by imports from central
and eastern European and developing, including tropical, countries.
- Certified forest product markets grew exponentially in 2001, but remained
small compared to certified forest area, which surged to 124 million hectares
in mid-2002, of which 90% is in the UNECE region.
- Due to industry restructuring, and demand in construction, furniture and
flooring, panels markets continued to expand in 2001, achieving new production
records for oriented strand board (OSB) and medium density fibreboard (MDF).
- Cross sectoral policy issues directly influence the forest products sector
and both market stakeholders and policy decision makers must be aware of their
current and future consequences.
These are some of the main findings of the recently published UNECE/FAO
Forest Products Annual Market Review, 2001-2002. The Review analyses
statistical information and developments in forest products markets in the
UNECE region of Europe, North America and the CIS countries.
The Review begins with an overview, which for the first time highlights the
policy dimension in forest products markets. The policy chapter states that
sustainable development of the forest and timber sector depends on viable
forest products markets. Strong markets for wood and non-wood forest products
support the economic viability of the whole sector. The entire production
chain, from forest to end consumers, benefits from a continuous supply of
affordable forest-based products, whether they be wood or non-wood. The UNECE
Timber Committee and the FAO European Forestry Committee draw the critical
link between sustainable forest products markets and sustainable forest management
by stressing that neither can exist in isolation-each needs the other to be
viable.
The overview chapter continues with a summary of major trends and developments
influencing forest products markets, followed by a description of the economic
factors affecting the forest and forest industries sector. Statistics-based
chapters are included for markets of sawn softwood, sawn hardwood, wood-based
panels, paper, paperboard and woodpulp, wood raw materials and tropical timber.
The dynamic certified forest products marketplace is the subject of one chapter
as is value-added wood products, e.g. furniture. In addition there are three
chapters on special topics.
The market effects of wood promotion is the theme of one special chapter
and it will also be the theme of the Timber Committee's annual forest products
market discussions on 24-25 September 2002 in Geneva. Another special chapter
focuses on Turkey's forest products markets and a third on Chile's forest
products markets.
Copies of the Review or its Executive Summary may be obtained from the web
site homepage or postal address below. For further information please contact:
Mr. Ed Pepke, Forest Products Marketing Specialist
UNECE/FAO Timber Section
Trade Development and Timber Division
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
Palais des Nations
CH - 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland
Telephone: +41 (0)22 917 2872
Fax: +41 (0)22 917 0041
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site: http://www.unece.org/trade/timber
Ref: ECE/TIM/02/01