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Report
from
North America
Tropical sawn hardwood imports down sharply
Despite improving demand in joinery/millwork and
exterior end-uses, US tropical sawn hardwood imports fell
by 37% in February from the previous month.
Total tropical sawn hardwood imports were 12,256 cu.m.
in February, down 12% on February 2012 levels.
The decline, say analysts, was mainly due to lower imports
from Brazil compared to January, but on a year-to-date
basis, February imports from Brazil (2,273 cu.m.) remain
39% higher than in 2012. Brazilian ipe imports declined to
1,157 cu.m.
Ecuador‟s balsa shipments were 2,374 cu.m. in February,
down 26% from 2012. Peru shipped very little virola
sawnwood to the US in February (21 cu.m.), compared to
the high volume reported for January (2,083 cu.m.).
Cameroon sawn hardwood exports to the US were 1,474
cu.m. in February (-25% year-to-date). Sapeli exports also
declined to 662 cu.m.
Imports from Malaysia were down to 1,302 cu.m. (-17%
year-to-date). Malaysian keruing shipments declined to
1,037 cu.m. in February.
Growth in furniture and wood product manufacturing
in March
The US manufacturing sector expanded for the fourth
consecutive month, according to the latest Institute of
Manufacturing (ISM) report on business. The wood
products and furniture sectors reported the highest growth
rate of all industries, driven by the recovery of the housing
market.
Manufacturing growth slowed from the previous month,
but manufacturers expect growth to continue. Increased
exports contributed to growth in manufacturing, according
to ISM.
US to boost trade with Burma/Myanmar
Following the European Union‟s lifting of all trade
sanctions (except an arms embargo) in April, the US has
opened discussions with officials in Myanmar for a
framework agreement on trade and investment. The US
government aims to give Myanmar preferential access to
the US market.
The US started easing restrictions on imports from
Myanmar in autumn 2012. Myanmar is a significant
exporter of wood products and US companies are now
allowed to purchase wood from Myanmar sources.
The US government intends to increase trade with Asia
and the US Trade Representative visited Vietnam and
Indonesia to discuss the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a free
trade pact. The US is also seeking a framework agreement
with Laos.
Green building standards reward reuse and recycling
of wood
A report by Dovetail Partners, „Examination of Wood
Recycling Provisions in North American Green Building
Programs, February 2013‟ examines the extent to which
green building programmes in North America encourage
the reuse and recycling of wood materials.
All but one of the green building programmes provide
credits for reuse, reclamation or recovery of materials.
One third of the programmes award twice the number of
credits to post-consumer recycled content, compared to
post-industrial recycled content.
The report identifies the wood building materials and
interior finishes that receive credits for recycled content,
such as decking, flooring and doors. MDF, HDF and
particleboard with post-consumer recycled content would
generally qualify in most programmes.
Several green building standards also recognize fingerjointed
wood materials. The full report is available at:
http://www.dovetailinc.org/reportsview/2013/responsiblematerials/
pjim-bowyerp/examination-wood-recyclingprovisions-
north-amer
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