The programme also contributes to the discussion of topical issues such as certification of forest products. Information on markets and current marketing practices is essential for effective marketing. Marketing studies that contribute to efficient planning and operation of specific sectors are often conducted as part of field projects. Case studies describe and analyse current marketing practices for forest products and indicate possibilities for improvement. They also develop and test methodologies and serve as guidelines for the analysis of marketing practices in other similar circumstances.
Efficient marketing depends on availability of and access to adequate information.
In establishing or strengthening marketing information systems, one of the first tasks is to identify sources of marketing information. The programme maintains a Compendium of forest products marketing databases which provides relevant descriptions of a number of computer-based databases of relevance to forest products marketing. It also promotes the establishment and strengthening of marketing information services. Special studies, such as A study of plantation timber prices in Latin America and the southern United States of America , compile information on particular issues. Training-needs surveys, which have been carried out in several countries around the world, provide a solid basis for the initiation and strengthening of education and training for forest products marketing.