1. UNECE TIMBER COMMITTEE Sixtieth session, 24-27 September 2002 Sawn Hardwood Timber Committee forecasts by Mr. Michael Buckley, Wood Industry Consultant, World Hardwoods Temperate Hardwoods by Mr. David Venables, European Director, American Hardwood Export Council Tropical Hardwoods by Dr. Steve Johnson, Statistician/Forest Economist, International Tropical Timber Org.

2. UNECE TIMBER COMMITTEE Sixtieth session, 24-27 September 2002 Highlights of Forest Products Annual Market Review 2001-2002 (1-5) Total sawn hardwood production in the UNECE region declined. Sawnwood production increased significantly in central and eastern European countries. Production remained constant in western Europe. Drop in western European production attributed to 1999 windstorms oversupply. Exports for the UNECE region were down by 5%.

3. UNECE TIMBER COMMITTEE Sixtieth session, 24-27 September 2002 Highlights of Forest Products Annual Market Review 2001-2002 (6-10) UNECE region imports of sawn hardwood in 2001 were down by 6%. Apparent consumption in the UNECE region fell from its 2000 peak. Central and eastern European countries consumption of sawn hardwood is increasing. Events of 11 September 2001 accentuate reduced demand. Rapid development of Asian furniture industries affecting hardwood trade and furniture production in UNECE region.

4. UNECE TIMBER COMMITTEE Sixtieth session, 24-27 September 2002 Highlights of Forest Products Annual Market Review (11-15) Markets affected by currency exchange rates. Environmental issues, certification, legality, getting press. Japan and China are the world's top two importers of tropical timber but moving in different directions. Many tropical producer countries continued their shift to secondary processed products exports. Tropical log exports fell 11% to 14.4 million m 3.

5. UNECE TIMBER COMMITTEE Sixtieth session, 24-27 September 2002 Highlights of Forest Products Annual Market Review (16-20) African exports of processed primary timber products exceeded log exports for the first time. Indonesian exports of sawnwood appear to have risen. China’s tropical plywood exports, based on imported logs, continue to soar. Prices for tropical plywood continue to reach new lows. Several ITTO producing countries are major importers of tropical logs and sawnwood

6. UNECE TIMBER COMMITTEE Sixtieth session, 24-27 September 2002 Europe: Sawn hardwood

7. UNECE TIMBER COMMITTEE Sixtieth session, 24-27 September 2002 Europe: Sawn hardwood

8. UNECE TIMBER COMMITTEE Sixtieth session, 24-27 September 2002 North America: Sawn hardwood

9. UNECE TIMBER COMMITTEE Sixtieth session, 24-27 September 2002 North America: Sawn hardwood

10. UNECE TIMBER COMMITTEE Sixtieth session, 24-27 September 2002 Next presentation Mr. David Venables, European Director, American Hardwood Export Council, London