FOREST PRODUCTS MARKETS STRONGER
IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES AND RUSSIA IN 2002 AND 2003 -
BUT WEAKER IN WESTERN EUROPE AND NORTH AMERICA
Promotion of Sound Use of Wood is Key to Sustainable Forest Products Markets
The UNECE Timber Committee analysed the current market situation in 2002
and forecast markets in 2003 for certified forest products, sawn softwood,
sawn hardwood, wood-based panels, paper, paperboard and woodpulp and wood
raw materials. The full text of the Committee's approved market statement
is attached, along with summary tables of forecasts. Key points from the statement
are summarized below.
Overall findings (for more details see table 1
and table 2)
Following record levels in 2000, a downturn in forest products
markets occurred in 2001 in the UNECE region. As weak economic conditions
in North America and Europe persist in 2002, only a few forest product sectors
show signs of an upturn.
Central and eastern European countries and the CIS however,
generally forecast rising consumption, production and trade of forest products.
A slight improvement for the entire region is forecast for 2003,
although recent economic indicators add uncertainty to the forecasts.
The Committee encouraged countries to work together to achieve
the maximum benefits of their efforts to promote wood. Promoting the sound
use of wood is important to maintain and increase wood's market share.
International approaches to wood promotion are important to
ensure sustainable markets, which are a vital component of sustainable forest
management.
Driven by favourable policies, significant European markets
and trade of wood biofuel exist, stimulating competition for wood raw material.
Certified Forest Products
The forestland certified for sustainable forest management in
the UNECE region increased dramatically in 2002, by 25%.
90% of the world's certified forests are in the UNECE region,
and most of the markets for certified products too.
Current problems identified include weak market demand, lack
of mutual recognition and lack of chain of custody. Many products from certified
forests are being sold without labels.
Sawn Softwood
Sawn softwood consumption in Russia and central and eastern
European countries (CEECs) is growing steadily as the forest sector continues
to recover from the transition recession of the past decade. Russia forecasts
strong growth in exports, increasing by 7.1% in 2002 and by 12.5% in 2003.
Higher exports are also expected from CEECs.
Canada's exports of sawn softwood are forecast to fall in 2002,
by over 7%, mainly due to the continued trade dispute with their chief trading
partner, the United States.
Sawn Hardwood
Hardwood markets in CEECs generally offer more optimistic forecasts
for 2002 and 2003, albeit on smaller volumes.
Several CEECs are not only exporting sawnwood, but also other
value-added hardwood products including furniture.
United States exports in 2002 are forecast to leap 21.9%, to
a record 3.2 million m3, in part due to the weakened dollar.
The largest hardwood export market for the US is now China,
and some of those exports are re-imported later in the form of furniture.
Tropical timber producers continue to shift towards value-added
processing.
Wood-based Panels
European panel manufacturers are restructuring in light of sluggish
demand, low prices and poor profitability.
China has become a significant exporter of tropical plywood
to Europe, based on imported logs.
In Europe and North America prospects for continued development
of engineered wood products are favourable because they make efficient use
of wood in manufacturing, have predictable performance and reduce on-site
construction time and waste.
Paper, Paperboard and Woodpulp
North American consumption of paper and paperboard is expected
to continue to fall in 2002 and 2003, declining to the levels of the mid 1990s.
Russian consumption and production of paper, paperboard and
pulp continue to recover rapidly from the low points they reached in the mid
1990s.
Wood Raw Materials, including Wood Fuel
Exports from CIS have continued to grow, delivered to western
Europe, CEECs, Japan and China. Further growth is forecast for removals and
consumption of roundwood in 2002 and 2003.
Trade in wood biofuels has increased rapidly over the past ten
years, spurred by energy policy choices and technological developments.
UNECE TIMBER COMMITTEE
STATEMENT ON FOREST PRODUCTS MARKETS IN 2002 AND 2003
The UNECE Timber Committee adopted the entire official text below on 27 September
2002.
Overview
A downturn in forest products markets occurred in 2001, following record
levels in 2000, in the UNECE region of Europe, North America and the Commonwealth
of Independent States (CIS). Weak economic conditions in North America and
Europe persist in 2002, and only a few forest product sectors show signs of
an upturn. In contrast, central and eastern European countries and the CIS
generally forecast rising consumption, production and trade. A slight improvement
for the entire region is forecast for 2003, although recent economic indicators
add uncertainty to the forecasts.
The Timber Committee examined the positive market effects of wood promotion.
The Committee encouraged countries to work together to achieve the maximum
benefits of their promotional efforts. Multi-country promotion of the sound
use of wood is important to maintain and increase wood's market share. Many
effective communication strategies can be shared through collaboration between
countries, trade associations and promotional groups. These international
approaches to wood promotion are important to ensure sustainable markets which
are a vital component of sustainable forest management.
There are now significant European markets and trade flows for wood biofuel
which in part are driven by policy. This is stimulating competition for wood
raw material. In this area, energy and environment policies interact with
forest industry policy. The Committee proposes a cross-sectoral approach to
this issue.
The Committee discussed markets for certified forest products, value-added
forest products, sawn softwood, sawn hardwood, panels, pulp, paper and paperboard
and wood raw materials, including wood fuel. Developments in 2002 and forecasts
for 2003 in these sectors are detailed below.
Economic Background
In the third quarter of 2002, the already moderate economic performance in
North America and western Europe weakened further. Recent weeks have seen
increased uncertainty and downward revisions of most economic forecasts. The
steep decline in stock prices since 2000 and the recent rise in oil prices
have been only partly counterbalanced by relative strength in North American
housing markets. However in the euro area, housing investment fell by 3% in
2001 and continued to fall in the first quarter of 2002. United States GDP
is now expected to grow by 2.4% in 2002 and 3% in 2003; western Europe GDP
is expected to grow by only 1.2% in 2002 and 2.5% in 2003.
Higher growth rates are expected for the transition economies. In central
and eastern European countries (CEECs), GDP growth of 2.6% is expected for
2002, but nearly 5% for the Baltic countries and the CIS. In 2003 growth for
the transition countries as a whole could be over 4%.
Certified
Forest Products
Forest area certified for sustainable forest management is growing rapidly
in the UNECE region, reaching 124 million hectares in mid-2002, a 25% increase
since 2001. The vast majority, 90%, of the world's certified forests are in
Europe and North America. Markets for certified forest products (CFPs) have
grown too, but remain at low levels. Many producing countries target the environmentally-conscious
markets.
Chain-of-custody is a bottleneck in today's certification markets, resulting
in products produced from certified forests being sold without a label documenting
their source. This shortcoming in the distribution channel deprives producers
and consumers of some of the potential benefits of trading recognizable CFPs.
The Committee noted other problems including lack of mutual recognition between
schemes, lack of price premiums for CFPs and lack of demand (in part due to
lack of consumer awareness). On the other hand, some markets claim lack of
supply constrains the offer.
Supply drivers include access to markets, primarily for exports when the
domestic market is small or nonexistent. Demand drivers include corporate
image enhancement, competitive advantage, market channel options, risk aversion
and social responsibility. Forest owners are increasingly considering their
environmental image. Some governments, both local
and national, have facilitated certification of forests and are spurring
demand through public procurement policies.
Without statistics or forecasts, predicting the CFP market future is speculative.
Moderate growth was expected for retailers in the
next year, with higher growth in some products, e.g. flooring.
Sawn Softwood
In 2002 sawn softwood markets in western Europe and North America are generally
weak, while in central and eastern Europe and the CIS, consumption and exports
are expanding.
Russian sawn softwood consumption is growing steadily as the forest sector
continues to recover from the transition recession of the past decade, and
should reach 11.45 million m3 in 2003, with production at over
22 million m3. Russia forecasts strong growth in exports, increasing
by 7.1% in 2002 and by 12.5% in 2003 to reach 8.5 million m3. In
Northwest Russia, a leading producing and exporting region, these positive
developments are linked to current economic and social stability, availability
of forest resources and favourable currency exchange rates. Nevertheless,
obsolete equipment, lack of investment, and an inadequate legal system will
continue to slow growth.
Many CEECs and Russia forecast similar optimism for sawn softwood consumption
increases, in line with their economic forecasts and higher value-added production.
For example, in the Baltic countries production increases were forecast by
Estonia of 3% in 2002 and 2003, and by Lithuania of 11% in 2002 and 5% in
2003. CEECs generally forecast increased trade, with greater volumes flowing
outside Europe.
The high levels of supply of construction-grade sawnwood to the US market,
coupled with a softening in housing demand, has resulted in falling prices.
Canada's exports of sawn softwood are forecast to fall in 2002, by over 7%
or 2.5 million m3, mainly due to the continued trade dispute with
the United States. In May 2002, the United States imposed an 18.8% countervailing
duty plus an 8.4% anti-dumping duty on imports of sawn softwood from Canada.
These are being strongly contested by Canada through existing trade dispute
resolution mechanisms, including the World Trade Organization and the North
American Free Trade Agreement. North American sawn softwood consumption is
forecast to decline by 2% in 2003 as the housing market softens in the United
States to 1.57 million houses.
Although total US imports of sawn softwood are expected to fall, imports
of value-added sawnwood are rising, both from Canada and increasingly from
plantation-sourced, southern hemisphere countries, such as Chile and New Zealand.
The strong US dollar stimulated its imports throughout 2001, but the dollar's
weakening in 2002 is part of the reason for a decrease of 3.1% expected in
sawn softwood imports for 2002 and a further decrease of imports in 2003 of
almost 6%. As North America imports more softwood value-added products from
outside the region, and exports less sawnwood overseas, the subregion could
become a net importer of sawn softwood. Nevertheless, the Canada-US flow remains
much larger than all others put together and the balance between the Canadian
and US dollars has remained relatively stable.
In western Europe, consumption is expected to fall in 2002, essentially because
of a decline of 1 million m3 in Germany, under the influence of
the construction crisis evident in some European countries over the past year.
A moderate recovery, in Germany and elsewhere is forecast for 2003. Production
is forecast to show a moderate increase in 2002 and a stronger one in 2003.
A 3% increase in production is forecast by 3 of the 4 countries producing
over 10 million m3 per year, i.e. Austria, Finland and Germany.
The fourth country, Sweden, forecast a 3% increase in 2002, but only a 1%
rise in 2003 production. Between them these four countries accounted in 2001
for 58% of European sawn softwood production, and 70% of exports. The export
of sawnwood from Europe to non-European markets is expected to grow.
Sawn Hardwood
Sawn hardwood markets peaked in 2000 in the UNECE region as a whole. As in
other sectors, the hardwood markets in central and eastern Europe generally
offer more optimistic forecasts for 2002 and 2003, albeit on smaller volumes.
Early 2002 wind and snow storms felled 3.6 million m3 in Turkey. The resulting
increased sawn hardwood production is expected to make Turkey the leading
sawn hardwood producer in Europe in 2002 and 2003 at 2.6 million m3. Several
countries of central and eastern Europe and the Baltic region are not only
exporting sawnwood, but also other value-added hardwood products including
furniture.
Overall in Europe the consumption of sawn hardwood is forecast to decline
in 2002 by 2.6%. Only exports showed positive movement, forecast to rise 2.8%
in 2002. Predictions for 2003 were near 2002 levels for consumption, production
and trade.
North American consumption of sawn hardwoods fell sharply in 2001 and is
forecast to remain near the same level in 2002, although trade is predicted
to accelerate. United States exports in 2002 are forecast to leap 21.9%, to
a record 3.2 million m3. Part of the export rise is attributable
to the weakened dollar in 2002. The record could be short-lived as a decline
of 3.3% is forecast for 2003. At the same time, the United States is forecasting
a jump in imports, by 33.4%, to reach an all time high of 1.9 million m3.
Trade of value-added hardwood products is advancing, which is not reflected
in the sawnwood statistics. Semi- and fully-machined hardwood components,
millwork, joinery and furniture are imported by UNECE region countries, both
from tropical and temperate sources, and increasingly from developing countries.
China's dynamic markets are directly affecting UNECE exporters and importers.
The US is the largest importer of value-added wood products of almost all
categories of products. The largest hardwood export market for the US is now
China, and some of those exports are re-imported later in the form of furniture.
A structural change is occurring as US furniture production is shifted to
more cost competitive developing countries.
Tropical sawn hardwood exporters appear at first glance to have lost market
share in Europe in 2002, as imports and consumption are forecast to decline
in 2002 and 2003. In contrast, the United States forecasts greater consumption
of tropical sawnwood in 2002, but on a level that is only 10% of Europe's.
However, as with temperate hardwoods, value-added products, such as furniture,
joinery and profiled wood are making significant inroads.
Russian production of sawn hardwood is forecast to rise in 2002 by 8.0%,
and in 2003 by 11%, to reach 3 million m3. Consumption is predicted
to rise simultaneously as well as exports. The latter could reach 750,000
m3 in 2003.
Wood-based
Panels
Following the record levels reached in 2000 and a downturn in 2001, consumption
of wood-based panels in Europe is expected to drop marginally in 2002 to 53
million m3. Market uncertainty, sluggish demand, low prices and
poor profitability have led the industry to restructure, closing less efficient
plants, increasing concentration and turning to multi-product manufacturing
centres. In spite of the difficult market situation, MDF continues to gain
market share, maintaining high operating rates and gaining new uses. The rapid
expansion of OSB capacity may lead to an oversupply situation as the recently
installed mills reach operational capacity. MDF and OSB are substituting solid
wood in several applications. China has become a significant exporter of tropical
plywood to Europe, based on imported logs.
In Europe there are prospects for the development of engineered wood products
(EWPs), notably wooden I-beams and laminated veneered lumber. EWPs make efficient
use of wood in manufacturing, they have predictable performance and reduce
on-site construction time and construction waste. The number of EWP plants
has doubled over the last decade in North America and their output is now
equivalent to 5% of the sawnwood supply.
The discussion showed that there is a need to promote the environmental benefits
of wood-based panels relative to competing non-wood materials. The European
wood-based panels sector is seeking to understand customer needs better and
further improve product quality. The European Panel Federation has launched
a campaign under the theme "For environmental reasons, use more wood" promoting
the advantages of panels and other wood products.
North American consumption of wood-based panels is also forecast to fall
slightly in 2002 and 2003 to 56 million m3, but remain close to
record levels, notwithstanding the current low prices. The strength of the
housing sector has sustained demand for OSB, which is expected to continue
to substitute softwood plywood in structural applications. Particle board
and MDF production and consumption are expected to decline somewhat as a result
of sluggish demand from the furniture and cabinet sector as well as from industrial
applications.
In the CIS and central and eastern European countries, production capacity
of the wood-based panels industries is expanding partly linked to the development
of the furniture industry and foreign investment. Domestic consumption and
exports of products from CEEC to western Europe are increasing. The Timber
Committee forecasts a 5% increase in panel consumption in the Russian Federation
in both 2002 and 2003 to 5 million m3. Exports are expected to
increase at higher rates during the same period.
Paper, paperboard
and woodpulp
World pulp and paper markets are starting to recover from the downturn that
began in the second half of 2000, which saw a collapse in the world pulp price,
attributed to weak demand and excess capacity. In the first half of 2002 the
markets were driven by rising demand for both pulp and paper products. Profits
have recovered slightly after a steep fall in 2001.
North American consumption of paper and paperboard fell sharply, and is expected
to continue to fall in 2002 and 2003, declining to the levels of the mid 1990s.
This decline in consumption is raising concern about a change in the long-term
correlation between economic growth and paper consumption. Paper consumption
is determined, among other factors, by the changes in industrial production,
a sector of the economy which accounts for a reducing share of GDP. The steep
decline in advertising expenditure has had a negative effect on paper consumption.
North American production is also expected to fall in 2002 and 2003. In Europe,
however, production and consumption of paper and paperboard are expected to
recover in 2002 and 2003 from the relatively minor fall experienced in 2001.
Per caput consumption in North America is still about 50% higher than in western
Europe.
Russian consumption of paper and paperboard continues to recover rapidly
from the low point it reached in the mid 1990s. Between 1998 and 2003, it
nearly doubled. Production and exports of paper and paperboard are also rising
fast. Russian pulp exports are also expected to rise further.
Wood raw materials
Roundwood removals as well as consumption in the UNECE region increased strongly
between 1996 and 2000 but dropped in 2001 by 3.8% and 4.2% respectively. The
forecast for 2002 and 2003 shows stabilisation at the current level.
North America is the largest roundwood producing subregion of the UNECE region
at 560 million m3. Its roundwood production fell significantly
between 1999 and 2001, whereas its net trade remained negligible. Apparent
consumption in 2001 declined by 15% and removals by 10%. Among driving factors
were the downturn of the economy and a reduction of harvest levels in United
States national forests as a result of environmental pressures. A return to
slow growth in roundwood production is expected for this subregion.
Developments in the EU/EFTA subregion are influenced by the storms of December
1999, which affected mainly France, Germany, Switzerland and Denmark, and
subsequent removals due to insect damage. After a strong increase of supply
in 2000, prices weakened. As a consequence, state forest services reduced
their supply in order to support consolidation of the markets. This caused
a decrease in removals in 2001 of roughly 10%. In most countries the processing
industry has now used up the stocks, which were built up following the storms.
For 2002, a decrease is expected due to low economic growth as well as lingering
effects of the storm. In 2003 removals are forecast to increase in line with
their normal, rising trend.
Removals as well as consumption from CEECs have grown steadily over recent
years. Removals were 100 million m3 in 2001. They dropped slightly
for the first time in 2001, while for consumption a further increase was reported.
For 2002 and 2003 a further, but more modest growth is expected, which could
be a sign for a long-term stabilisation of growth at a rate comparable to
those of western countries.
Removals in the CIS passed through a phase of deep depression after the collapse
of planned economies. However, the subregion has shown remarkable growth of
removals and more modest increase of consumption since the devaluation of
the rouble in 1998. Exports of roundwood have grown sharply during the 1990s.
In recent years exports from CIS have continued to grow, delivered to western
Europe and CEECs, and also to Japan and China. Further growth is forecast
for removals and consumption of roundwood in 2002 and 2003 along with a decrease
of net exports.
There have been significant changes in trade flows of roundwood[1].
The trade flow from CIS to EU/EFTA subregion, which represents 12% of global
roundwood trade, increased by nearly 80% between 1996 and 1999 although it
slowed down in 2000. Also exports from CIS (mainly Russia) to non-UNECE region
countries (Japan and China) doubled between 1998 and 2000.
Although the share of wood in energy supply is still negligible in most UNECE
region countries, trade in biofuel, including wood pellets, briquettes, sawdust
and chips, has increased rapidly over the past ten years. The use of wood
for energy generation is in large part spurred by energy policy choices and
technological developments. Realizing the objectives of the Kyoto Protocol,
policy options encouraging bioenergy production include: opting out of nuclear
energy, reducing carbon emission from fossil fuels, an environmentally friendly
use of roundwood potentials, possible shifts towards changes in land use,
conservation of natural resources, and others. Present of potential competition
for the same raw materials suitable also for wood products is causing concern
among some stakeholders about policies promoting the use of wood for energy.
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: www.unece.org/trade/timber