EU timber traders cited a number of factors shaping tropical import trends. These included intensifying competition for material from Chinese and other Asian buyers, which was driving up prices for tropical and temperate hardwood alike, as well as resulting in short supply in some species.

But logistical problems, the ‘deterrent effect’ of the EUTR in the tropical market on both suppliers and buyers, as one importer described it, and ever intensifying competition from rival products, including temperate hardwoods, modified timber and wood composites, also had an influence.

The restructuring of the African operations of the Frenchbased Rougier Group, one of the EU’s key tropical producers and importers, was also felt to have impacted the market. And some companies also believe there is an underlying long term ‘slow but discernible’ decline in the EU tropical trade, although this is not a view shared by everyone.