Net Dutch imports of tropical wood, 1988-1999

	1988	1990	1994	1995	1999

	1,000 m³ r. e. without bark

Total	1 160	1 251	858	812	1 112
Round wood	125	92	110	109	101
Sawn wood	611	728	522	468	594
Veneer	13	6	4	7	0
Multiplex	411	425	222	228	417
Source: Stichting Bos en Hout.				CBS/ EDC/Oct02
r.e. = roundwood equivalent

Developments in imports of tropical wood

Total imports of tropical timber and wood products declined considerably between 1988 and 1998. The main reason for this was a huge rise in the price of sawn tropical wood. In addition, a number of alternatives became available, based on European wood. In 1998, the decline in imports stabilised, and was followed by a sharp rise in 1999. The stockpiling and running down of stocks mean that the net imports are not necessarily identical to tropical wood use in a given year.

Origin

Between 1995 and 1998, approximately 75% of imported tropical wood and wood products came from South-East Asia, 20 % from Africa and 5% from South America. The most commonly imported sorts are meranti, azobé and okoumé.

Policy

Pursuant to the Regeringsstandpunt Tropisch Regenwoud (Government Statement on Tropical Rain Forests) (LNV en Ontwikkelingssamenwerking, 1991), the Netherlands will not, in principle, cooperate with projects and developments that result in actual or potential damage to the tropical rain forest either directly or indirectly. It will also be active in curbing the trade in tropical wood that is not produced in sustainable ways by encouraging certification.

Technical note

Round wood consists of trunks or parts of trunks which have not been processed further after cutting, chopping or, in some cases, debarking. In order to be able to add up the different timber products in the tables in this section, the quantities have been converted to the quantity of round wood needed to make products.

References

LNV en Ontwikkelingssamenwerking (1991). Regeringsstandpunt Tropisch Regenwoud. Dutch Lower House, 1990-1991, 21517, 2-3. The Hague
SBH (2001). Bos en hout berichten, 2001(2). Stichting Bos en Hout, Wageningen.

Relevant sections and indicators in the Environmental Data Compendium

Dutch forest development (page is not available yet)
Growing stocks, growth, felling and harvesting of timber.
Balance for timber and wood products, 1988-1999
Production, imports, exports and consumption of timber and wood products in the Netherlands.

Relevant information outside of the Environmental Data Compendium

Stichting Bos en Hout. Stiching Bos en Hout (The Forest and Wood Foundation) is a knowledge and skills consultancy centre for the forest, wood and paper sector.