world news - 10.07.2003

Japan: Importers Projections for 2003. The Japan Log and Lumber Importers Association has released its projection of imports for major forest products for 2003.

They think total imports will be about 23.47mil cubic metres some 4.8% lower than 2002. Plywood imports are expected to drop by 8% because of log shortages at Indonesia plymills as strict control of logging is enforced. Also likely to affect Indonesian exports will be the delays by Indonesian mills to acquire the revised JAS.

Japan's demand for tropical logs is estimated to come in 10.8% lower than in 2002 at 1,686,000 cubic metres while imports of tropical lumber are likely to be down almost 10% to 183,000 cubic metres. Log consumption in Japan must decline as many plywood and veneer mills in the country, which once used tropical hardwoods, have ceased operations.

• — China: Russian Timber Exports to Fall - 10.07.2003
• — Brazil Pine Plywood Prices Set to Rise. Brazilian pine plywood producers are expected to try and increase their export prices in the second half of the year ... - 07.07.2003
• — Weak US$ affects global forest Industry: A downturn in the US market, strengthened domestic currency and ownership changes have combined to resulted lay-offs and profit warnings from some companies in the Southern Hemisphere. - 07.07.2003
• — Metso Paper will rebuild a pulp and paper mill of the Slovakian pulp and paper producer..... - 03.07.2003
• — US-Home Sales Hit New Record In May - 01.07.2003