The European Organisation of the Sawmill Industry (EOS) says there is a “great need” to promote an increased use of wood in Europe to address low levels of timber consumption in several EU countries.
At a meeting in Holland on October 23-24 members heard the EOS believes in co-ordinated general wood promotion rather than regional or national initiatives focusing on timber and wood products.
The organisation reported a healthy market for sawn softwood, with production and consumption levels rising this year by 1-2%. Growing foreign markets, including the US and Japan, are expected to lead to increased production in the next few years.
However, sawn hardwood is not enjoying a good time, especially production of beech, with producers confronted by tough market conditions caused by lower economic activity; increased competition from non-EU countries; and a decline in the Asian export markets. Several French and German hardwood sawmillers have already gone into receivership.
The EOS is looking to help companies by working on promotions for European hardwood, plus the widespread implementation of its classification rules for sawn beech.
Meanwhile, companies from Canada, Latvia, Russia and the US were invited to the meeting for the first time, providing an opportunity to discuss market developments at a more global level.
