In 2023, the EU imported a total of 1.59 million tonnes of tropical wood. Compared to the previous year, imports decreased by 18%. It has to be said, though, that 2022 was an exceptionally good year thanks to the post-pandemic boom. Nevertheless, 2023 import volumes are also 12% below the average of the years 2013 to 2019 (1.8 million tonnes).
The ITTO sees the reduced purchasing power of Europeans as main reason for this development. The crisis in the Red Sea has added to existing negative effects.
The negative trend was particularly noticeable in the furniture sector where a 24% decrease was recorded. The most important supplying countries in this sector are Vietnam, Indonesia and India.
In 2023, imports of tropical lumber, too, saw a marked downward trend compared to the previous year. 848,000 m³ were imported by the EU, which corresponds to a 16% decrease. Cameroon supplied the lion’s share of 329,000 m³ (-9%) and is followed by Gabon (129,000 m³; -22%) and Brazil (98,000 m³; -41%) in second and third place, respectively. The latter nation was almost overtaken by the Republic of Congo last year. Contrary to general developments, an embargo on log exports resulted in a 23% increase and a delivery volume of 93,000 m³.
With a total of 92,000 m³ (-23%), European imports of tropical log wood are of relatively little importance.
As the ITTO reports, the moldings and terraces market (-22% to 135,000 tonnes) and imports of tropical wood veneers (-23% to 263,000 m³) recorded similar decreases last year. The organization concludes that all product groups and areas were faced with a downward trend in volume in 2023.
