Mahogany quotas very low Logging is progressing during the Amazonian dry season. The forest certification movement is coming under increasing fire from radical green groups, many of which are now calling for a return to campaigns aimed at forest preservation and boycotts of all tropical timber products. European hardwood review First quarter data for the whole of the EU indicates that the overall value of imports of most hardwood products, excepting beech logs and sawn lumber, were stable or higher than the same period the previous year. Perhaps surprising given the strength of demand last year and anecdotal reports of market weakness this year. However it is likely that there was a more significant slowdown in the second quarter of the year as concerns over the global economy mounted.
Economic statistics emerging from Germany continue to be disappointing.
Italy s first quarter import performance was variable. Of all EU markets, Italy provides the clearest evidence of increasing penetration by Eastern European suppliers. Prospects in Italy s hardwood market, although reasonable, deteriorated during the second quarter of the year. First quarter import data indicates that the Spanish market remained one Europe s most buoyant during that period. The UK hardwood trade had a fairly mixed first quarter.