Imports of tropical lumber to the EU fell by 13% last year to 996,000 m3 and thereby dropped below the 1m m3 mark for the first time. Information from the International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO) shows that even in 2009, when the economic and financial crisis was at its peak, the figure was higher at 1.127m m3. The imports then began to recover in 2010 with a total of 1.186m m3 but this was followed by a minor reduction again in 2011 and another more pronounced one in 2012. The sharpest declines in 2012 were registered in imports of tropical lumber from Malaysia at -27% to 176,000 m3 and from Brazil at -22% to 128,000 m3.
Source:
http://www.euwid-wood-products.com/news/roundwoodsawnwood/single/Artikel/eu-imports-of-tropical-lumber-fall-below-1m-m3-mark-in-2012.html
