BRAZIL – As reported by IBÁ (Brazilian Tree Industry), in the first half (6M) of 2019 the consumption of wooden boards in Brazil reached 3.19 million m3, an increase of 3.6 percent compared to the same period of 2018 (3.08 million m3).

In 6M-2019, consolidated sales in the domestic market reached 3.18 million m3, an improvement of 3.4 percent compared to the same period of 2018 (3.08 million m3).

The export values of Brazilian wooden panels in 6M-2019 reached USD 135 million, falling 8.8 percent compared to USD 148 million exported in the same period of the previous year. Latin America was the main regional export market for Brazilian wooden panels in 6M-2019, with USD 89 million (6M-2018: USD 85 million), which represented an improvement of 4.7 percent.

The North American market followed with USD 30 million, a 6.3 percent drop compared to the same period of 2018 (USD 32 million).

In the same period, volumes exported by Brazilian wood panel manufacturers fell 3.5 percent to 598 thousand m3 compared to 620 thousand m3 exported in 6M-2018.

IBÁ is the association that brings together the productive chain of trees planted for industrial purposes. The Association is directed by Paulo Hartung, who assumed the executive presidency of the entity on March 18.