world news - 16.06.2004
The European Sawmill Industry: modest optimism prevails
On invitation of the Fédération Nationale du Bois, the members of the European Organisation of the Sawmill Industry, EOS, met on 5 June 2004 in Nantes for their annual general meeting. Mr Hans-Michael Offner, EOS President, chaired the meeting.
Developments 2003 and forecasts 2004
The softwood sawmilling sector in the EOS member countries could report a positive development in 2003 with an increase of the production volume by 1.42% compared to 2002, reaching 90 million m³. However, consumption of sawn softwood products declined by 2.03%, attaining a volume of 63 million m³.
For 2004 no major changes are being expected.
Unfortunately, however, the European hardwood sawmilling sector is still facing a difficult situation both on the home and global markets, which has led to a production decrease by 4.17% compared to 2002. Overall, 7.18 million m³ of sawn hardwood were produced. Consumption in 2003 also fell by 4.17% to close at almost 11 million m³.
This declining trend is forecast to continue in 2004, though at more moderate levels. One of the main problems is the export of saw logs to foreign markets, rather than sawn goods or (semi)-finished products. The EOS General Assembly has set up a working group to prepare a detailed dossier on the current difficulties. This will be used for discussions with national and European authorities with the aim of finding solutions that should safeguard the future of this sector in Europe.
In addition, work on a European classification for European hardwoods for export will be stepped up in order to provide for a common classification system that can serve as the basis for future export promotion.
On the foreign markets, European softwood producers are presently reporting a positive development on the US market, with a stable situation on the Japanese market. Exports to the Arab countries are under pressure because of the weakness of the US dollar in relation to the Euro.
EOS Internal
Roadmap 2010 for the European Woodworking Industries
The EOS members discussed the results of Step 1 of the CEI-Bois Roadmap process and confirmed their support to the “wood in sustainable development” process that will have to provide the detailed catalogue of arguments to defend an increased use of wood and wood-based products. Through some of the national bodies the sawmilling sector will also be contributing to the strategic processes “Building with wood”, “Living with wood” and “Wood in packaging and transport”.
European Softwood Conference
The participants discussed the preliminary programme of the ESC 2004, which will be organised for the first time by a producer country and take place in Vienna from 21 to 24 October under the chairmanship of Hans-Michael Offner.
The programme includes high-level presentations on the softwood markets and on more general topics, such as wood promotion in Europe and globally, the certification of timber products and forest industry policy. An attractive social programme will provide for the icing on the cake.
Pan-European Wood Promotion
Following a decision of several EOS member countries, a promotion platform has been set up by Pro:Holz (AT), NTC (FI, NO, SE), FrenchTimber (FR) and The German Timber Promotion Fund (DE) to carry out activities in the Chinese and Japanese markets.
In China, activities will mainly focus on influencing authorities and the standardisation processes to include European wood species and construction techniques, whereas in Japan the main objective is to achieve more European visibility on the market and to transfer European wood technology. The first ever European Wood Day in Japan will take place on 28 September 2004 in Tokyo.
Certification
The General Assembly welcomed the Russian initiative to come to a certification of its forest area. A Russian forest certification standard will be presented for approval from the PEFC Council within short. Some of the forest area is expected to be certified under FSC rules as well.
The EOS members hope that this move will help reassuring the European markets in wood material produced in Russia.
New members
The General Assembly unanimously accepted the membership of the Associatia Forestierilor Din România (ASFOR) from Romania. It furthermore supports the intention to widen the membership with the federations from the new EU Member States.
General Assembly 2005
The EOS General Assembly 2005 will be held in June 2005 in Saint Petersburg, Russia, on the invitation of the “Union of Timber Manufacturers of Russia
See also:
- — Russia reported timber and pulp and paper products exports up 4,5% within 3 months in 2004 compared with the prior period in 2003.
- — European consumers again reduce pulp stores
- — Russia and Finland in investment pact
- — ZOW has success at Moscow premier
- — The European Commission has imposed provisional anti-dumping duties on okoumé plywood from China.