[Index]
Accelerating Influence of Globalisation on
Forest Products Markets—Uncertainty in Short-Term Market Outlook
Geneva, 10 October 2001
The UNECE Timber Committee examined the current forest
products market situation in 2001 and forecast markets in 2002 for sawn
softwood, sawn hardwood, wood-based panels, pulp and paper, wood raw materials
and certified forest products. The full text of the Session’s approved
market statement is attached. Key points from the statement follow.
Overall findings
Forest products markets in the UNECE region were at
record high levels in 2000, but forecasts for 2001 were for a decline in
many markets, followed by general improvement in 2002. However, the 11
September 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States have cast
uncertainty on the forecasts.
In light of the economic downturn in 2001, the Timber
Committee stated that it is imperative to develop new wood products and to
establish new markets to meet consumers’ needs.
The Committee reasserted the importance for the forest
products industry to work internationally to promote the environmental
advantages of the sustainable production of wood.
Certified forest products and certification of sustainable
forest management
The area of forests certified for sustainable
management has expanded rapidly to over 90 million hectares worldwide,
with around 95 % being in the UNECE region. While the main markets for
certified products continue to be in parts of western Europe, and North
America, demand is relatively small.
Sawn softwood markets
Sawn softwood trade has been disrupted in North America
following the expiration of the United States-Canada Softwood Lumber
Agreement and the subsequent filing of duties against Canada. Many
Canadian sawmills have reduced production and Canada estimated a 5% drop
in exports in 2001, mainly due to the US trade dispute.
Russia forecasts domestic consumption of sawn softwood
to increase in 2001, by 9%, and rise further by over 5% in 2002.
Production was forecast to rise less and exports were not forecast to rise
in 2001.
Sawn hardwood markets
Sawn hardwood markets in North America are softening in
2001 with uncertainty for 2002 based on reports presented in the market
discussions.
Production and trade of value-added products, both
temperate and tropical, is increasing, in part due to globalisation
effects. Tropical value-added products trade could exceed that of primary
products for the first time in 2003.
Wood-based panels markets
With strong demand, European markets for OSB seem to be
the exception to the general sluggish demand for the wood-based panels
sector. Coupled with continued capacity expansions, resulting in
competitive markets, and weaker production growth rates, panels markets in
both Europe and North America find prices are under pressure.
Pulp and paper markets
Contrary to pulp and paper markets in most of the rest
of the UNECE region, Russia foresees higher production, domestic
consumption and exports in 2001 and 2002, spurred by the recovery of the
Russian economy and the low rouble exchange rate.
Wood raw materials markets
The extensive windthrow of approximately 200 million m3
from the December 1999 storms in western Europe is still negatively
affecting wood raw materials markets. Recent windthrow damages in Estonia
in July 2001 drew attention to the fact that storm damage poses a
permanent risk for roundwood markets and that silvicultural practises may
need to be modified to mitigate future storm damage.
Globalisation of forest products markets
"Globalisation trends are accelerating,"
according to Mr. Marc Boutin, "driven by the free movement of capital,
growing concentration of forest products companies and access to forest
resources." Mr. Boutin, Director of International Trade, Quebec Lumber
Manufacturers’ Association, in a keynote address presented the effects of
globalisation on the forest products markets at the annual UNECE Timber
Committee market discussions.
According to Mr. Boutin, the factors driving international
trade of forest products are: emerging economies with commensurate rising
consumer demand; investor preference for companies focussing on fewer products
and larger scale; and a switch to lower cost fibre from forest plantations.
These forest products trends are linked to overall effects
of globalisation on the world economy including increased capital mobility,
information technology revolution, improved transportation logistics, and
larger buying groups, e.g. DIY chains, sourcing wood products globally.
In addition, labour shortages in developed economies are
favouring a shift to lower cost labour in developing regions according to Mr.
Boutin and Mr. Peter Poschen, Forestry and Wood Industry Specialist,
International Labour Office. Mr. Poschen added that, "Globalisation,
decent work and sustainability are not necessarily contradictory" when
the social dimension is adequately incorporated into policies related to the
forestry sector.
STATEMENT ON FOREST PRODUCTS MARKETS IN 2001 AND 2002
The entire official text below was adopted by the Timber
Committee in Geneva, on 5 October 2001.
ACCELERATING INFLUENCE OF
GLOBALISATION ON FOREST PRODUCTS MARKETS—UNCERTAINTY ON SHORT-TERM MARKET
OUTLOOK
Overview
Following record levels in 2000 of forest products
consumption, production and trade in the UNECE region of Europe, North America
and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), markets started to fall in
early 2001. The simultaneous weakening of all major economies exacerbated this
trend. The Timber Committee forecasts reductions in forest products markets in
2001 and no significant recovery in 2002. Furthermore, uncertainty has
increased since the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States,
which were not taken into account in the forecasts, prepared before the
session.
The forest products sector, like other industry sectors, is
increasingly influenced by globalisation, driven by economies of scale, rapid
and free movement of capital, removal of trade barriers, better information
and communication technology and cheaper transport. The most visible effects
of globalisation in the sector are mergers and acquisitions among forest
products companies, the emergence of multi-national buyers of forest products
(e.g. large European and American DIY chains), global markets in a number of
products, including fibre, pulp, newsprint, and some assortments of sawnwood
and panels. Success of export-oriented plantations in locations with excellent
growing conditions and productive species, is documented in the new FAO
publication State of the World’s Forests 2001. This has led to more
vigorous competition on markets which had been traditionally domestic and
small scale, as well as to innovation in products and marketing, modified
industrial strategies, including, in some instances, outsourcing of production
processes.
In light of the economic downturn in 2001, the Timber
Committee stated that it is imperative to develop new products to expand
existing markets and to establish new markets to meet consumers’ needs. The
Committee reasserted the importance for the forest products industry to work
internationally to promote the environmental advantages of the sustainable
production of wood. An opportunity to address these issues would be provided
at the Committee’s seminar under preparation in Romania for March 2003 on
promoting the use of wood as an environmentally friendly raw material.
The Committee discussed the need to increase the wood
culture in the ECE region. Delegates mentioned on-going national and
subregional campaigns to promote the use of wood. The Committee suggested
coordinating efforts in order to achieve greater success.
Economic background
The global economy has been in a weak state since mid-2001.
After the end of the long boom fed by investment in information and technology
and the bubble in stock markets, some readjustment was inevitable. The three
major world economies, North America, Japan and Europe, have all weakened
simultaneously, for the first time since the early 1970s. Consumer and
business confidence began to fall, a trend which was reinforced by the attacks
of 11 September. This has increased the risk of a slide into recession in the
major economies.
The outlook for the world economy is less favourable than
before and huge uncertainty has been created, notably by the loss of the sense
of security, leading to a "wait-and-see" attitude in many areas,
including investment and consumption. Forecasts as of October 2001 are
for GDP growth in 2001 of about 1% in the United States of America, and 1.8%
in western Europe, with a 0.5% fall in Japan. There are downside risks arising
from the consequences of the attacks of 11 September which are not as yet
fully understood, the fragility of the Japanese economy, and the risk of a
mutually reinforcing downward economic spiral.
In Russia, growth in 2001 has been slower than in 2000, but
still healthy (+4.5% expected for 2001). Countries of central and eastern
Europe are exposed to the risk of an economic downturn in their major export
customers, notably in western Europe.
United States housing activity showed some signs of slowing
down, with August 2001 starts down to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of
1.527 million. In August, no significant further fall was expected, but the
decline in consumer confidence might affect these forecasts.
In western Europe, total construction activity is expected
to grow by only 1.3% in 2001, while new residential construction is expected
to fall slightly (source: Euroconstruct). In Germany, completions of new
dwellings in 2001 are expected to be about 3% lower than in 2000, with no
upturn foreseen in 2002.
Certified Forest Products
The Committee continued to review the markets for certified
forest products (CFPs) and the latest developments for certification systems.
The area of forests certified in the world is now nearly 90 million hectares,
with around 95% being in the ECE region. The area certified has expanded
rapidly in the last year as more systems come on stream and more companies
have been certified. In Europe, there are now two major systems in operation,
the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the Pan European Forest Certification
(PEFC).
The main markets for certified products continue to be in
parts of western Europe and North America. However, it was stressed that
information on the number of products certified and the volume of wood they
represent is still very limited. Final consumers appear to have little
awareness of, and interest in certified products, as the main demand for CFPs
is from retailers. A smaller, but important contributor to the demand is
public procurement by central and local governments.
Continued growth is expected in area certified and number
of certified products sold, as all certification schemes make further
progress. Additionally, schemes in some developing countries are likely to be
finalized. To date though, CFPs have a very limited share of the market.
There is increasing interest in mutual acceptance or
recognition between different certification systems. Some concern was noted
that the current conflict between systems in Europe makes it more difficult
for consumers to decide whether wood products can be bought with confidence.
The result of this conflict is that products from more non-renewable materials
such as concrete and steel, may gain market share at the expense of wood,
which is a renewable material. Confidence in the instrument of certification
could also be impaired. The Committee stressed that certification should not
become a trade barrier.
Sawn softwood
Following record levels of consumption, production and
trade in the UNECE region in 2000, sawn softwood markets are forecast to fall
in 2001 and then possibly to improve in 2002. In Europe, consumption is
forecast to fall by over 4% in 2001, down to 87 million m3 due to weaker
economic conditions. Steeper drops are forecast for most western European
countries than for countries in central and eastern Europe. Prices are at the
lowest levels for many years in Europe, although exporters to the United
States benefited from the strong dollar. There has been consolidation in the
sawmilling industry throughout the ECE region. Some sawmills have closed in
the region in response to low prices and oversupply. Commodity sawnwood
manufacturers are continually moving towards value-added production including
engineered wood products, for example glulam beams.
A slight improvement forecast for European sawn softwood
markets in 2002 is uncertain, in the wake of the slowing global economy.
European imports follow a similar pattern: they are forecast to drop by 5% to
37 million m3 in 2001, then possibly to improve slightly in 2002. While
exports are forecast to be lower in 2001, continued strength is expected for
exports to Asian destinations.
At the expiry of the Canada-United States Softwood Lumber
Agreement in March 2001, the United States Coalition for Fair Lumber Imports
Executive Committee filed for countervailing and anti-dumping duties to be
imposed against Canada. Approximately 95% of United States imports of
sawn softwood come from Canada, making up over a third of the
United States consumption. At the present time, North American trade
officials are discussing alternatives to litigation. Nevertheless, softwood
trade has been disrupted. Many Canadian sawmills have reduced production and
Canada estimated a 5% drop in exports, down to 46.5 million m3 in 2001, mainly
due the United States trade dispute. United States forecasts for 2001 and 2002
for consumption were not significantly different from the record
127 million m3 in 2000. This is positive news for European exporters to
the United States, although again, caution should be exercised with these
forecasts due to the current extraordinary economic uncertainty.
New housing construction remains high in the United States
and houses have become larger and more complicated in design in recent years
resulting in more wood per house. The repair and remodelling market share of
sawn softwood consumption has grown to become as important as new residential
construction. Engineered wood products continue to gain market share, for
example approximately one third of new residential constructions employ wooden
I-beams in floors.
Russia forecasts consumption of sawn softwood will increase
in 2001, by 9% to reach 11 million m3, and a further rise of over 5% in
2002. Production is expected to rise by 5% in 2001, to 18 million m3, and by a
further 5% in 2002. Domestic consumption should account for most of the
increased production. Exports were not forecast to rise in 2001.
Sawn hardwood
European sawn hardwood markets were forecast to follow the
same patterns as those of softwood, i.e., a decline from the record 2000
levels in 2001, then slight improvement in 2002. Sawn hardwood, certified as
coming from sustainably managed forests, was said to be available for most
species in adequate volumes to meet the current market demand.
North America produces and consumes 36.6 and 38.3 million
m3 respectively, twice the volume of sawn hardwood as Europe. Record levels of
production and consumption were reached in 2000. Both production and
consumption were forecast to remain steady in 2001 and 2002. While imports
were forecast to remain steady, exports were forecast to dip slightly in 2001
and recover in 2002. However, there are indications of sharply reduced
production levels in mid-2001, increasing the uncertainty surrounding these
forecasts.
There have been increased imports of value-added hardwood
products, including tropical hardwoods, for example furniture and flooring.
Hardwood flooring has been a growth market in both Europe and North America
through 2000. However in 2001, flooring manufacturing has excess capacity and
is in oversupply as housing demand slows.
Together, the United States, United Kingdom, Germany and
France, along with Japan, import 60% by value of secondary-processed wood
products. Imports of hardwood furniture are negatively affecting the United
States furniture manufacturers, resulting in some plant closures in 2001. One
third of United States furniture sales are of imported furniture, of which
almost 30% comes from China. Rationalization of furniture manufacturing
capacity is also occurring in western Europe.
Tropical timber producers continue to increase the share of
further processed products in production at the expense of primary products (sawnwood,
plywood, veneer and logs). The International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO)
forecasts that the value of exports of tropical secondary products will exceed
primary products after 2003. ITTO forecasts increasing supplies from
plantations in the tropics.
China is an important export market for the ECE region and
temperate species imports increased to approximately the same volume as
tropical species in 2000. ITTO expects China to import the greatest volume of
primary tropical wood products in the near future. China’s increased imports
of wood are influenced by the reduction in domestic logging in three major
watersheds, as well as the raw material needs of the exporters of wood based
products such as furniture. Exports of wood products such as furniture which
were increasing by 30% per year until 1999, accelerated in 2000 by a further
45%.
Wood-based panels
Wood-based panels consumption in Europe attained record
levels in 2000, nearly 8% higher than in 1999. In certain countries during the
last quarter, signs of slowdown appeared, but generally, the momentum of 2000
continued through the first quarter of 2001 but then slowed. From mid 2001,
sluggish demand, coupled with continued capacity expansions, resulted in very
competitive markets and weaker production growth rates. European markets for
OSB seem to be the exception: demand is still strong, though prices are under
pressure. Timber Committee forecasts for Europe show cutbacks in very
competitive panel export markets and even more significant reductions in
imports. Nevertheless, production forecasts are on the whole still positive,
at a modest 1%.
The strong growth of the wood-based panels sector in North
America over the last decade showed signs of decline in 2000. The 10% growth
in consumption in 1999 was followed by a 2.5% increase in 2000. Continued
capacity expansions in the OSB and particle board sectors disrupted markets
with noticeable price swings, as supply increased faster than demand.
Forecasts for increases in production and consumption are modest while major
cutbacks are expected for imports and exports. APA- The Engineered Wood
Association predicts that US softwood plywood production will fall to 14.6
million m3 in 2001 following the 15.5 million m3 of 2000.
In the Russian Federation overall consumption of wood-based
panels is expected to go up by about 6% and 3% in 2001 and 2002, respectively,
following the nearly 20% increase in 2000. Exports are also expected to
increase somewhat as a result of the weak rouble, which improved
competitiveness of Russian exports in world markets.
Pulp, paper and paperboard
The markets for both pulp and paper peaked around the end
of 2000. For paper and paperboard production and consumption, 2001 estimates
for Europe and North America were within 1% of the 2000 data, although some
countries showed stronger fluctuations, up or down. North American production
and consumption of pulp are excepted to show minimal change but decreases of
1-2% are expected for Europe. Prices of some products, including market pulp,
have been weakening despite the efforts by some producers to limit increases
in capacity and production in line with real demand. Similar levels of
production and consumption of both pulp and paper are forecast for 2002 as in
2001. Likewise no significant changes are forecast for trade in pulp and
imports of paper in 2001 and 2002. Some paper exporting countries expect lower
exports in 2001, with a recovery in 2002.
Russia foresees higher production, domestic consumption and
exports of both pulp and paper in 2001 and 2002, spurred by the recovery of
the Russian economy and the low rouble exchange rate.
Wood raw materials
The extensive windthrow of approximately 200 million m3
from the December 1999 storms, which mainly affected France, Germany,
Switzerland and Denmark, is still influencing roundwood supply in Europe,
chiefly in the EU/EFTA subregion. In 2000, removals and exports of roundwood
accelerated, by 12% and 50% respectively because of the need to clear
windthrown timber. Removals fell however in other, unaffected countries.
Strong demand in 2000 for wood raw material mitigated the negative effects of
the windthrow. Actions by governments limited the drop of roundwood prices,
although prices remain under pressure. After the useable wood will be brought
out of the forests, removals in 2001 were forecast to decrease by 8%, to a
level slightly below that of before the storm. Recent windthrow damages in
Estonia in July 2001 drew attention to the fact that storm damage poses a
permanent risk for roundwood markets. Silvicultural practices may be modified
in an attempt to reduce future storm damage.
The removals in central and eastern European countries, as
well as in North America, are expected to remain more or less stable in 2001
and 2002. Further stabilisation of the policy framework in some countries of
the CIS is forecast to lead to an increase of removals for 2001 by nearly 10%,
whereas the growth expectations for 2002 are significantly lower. Roundwood
exports from CIS, chiefly from Russia, are forecast to grow in 2001, but to
slow in 2002, as domestic demand in the CIS is expected to compete more
successfully with exports.
Europe: Summary table of market
forecasts for 2001 and 2002
pdf
North America: Summary table of market
forecasts for 2001 and 2002
pdf
The Timber Committee’s market discussions were based on
the recently published UNECE & FAO Timber Bulletin "Forest Products
Annual Market Review, 2000-2001", country-supplied market forecasts and
country market statements. All of these documents and forecasts may be found
on the Timber Committee’s Market Information Service at: http://www.unece.org/trade/timber/mis/mis.htm
Full text of the statement below will be combined with
statistics and forecasts for 2000-2002 and will be published in another UNECE
& FAO Timber Bulletin "Forest Products Markets in 2001 and
Prospects for 2002".
For further information please contact:
Ed Pepke
Forest Products Marketing Specialist
UNECE & FAO Timber Section, Trade Division
Palais des Nations, Office 439
CH – 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland
Tel: +41 22 917 2872
Fax: +41 22 917 0041
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.unece.org/trade/timber
Ref: ECE/TIM/01/03