Illegal trade is only one explanation for data discrepancies between exports and imports of tropical timber, a study suggests.
The International Tropical Timber Organisation‘s trade statistics discrepancies study says incorrect specification of origin or destination, confusion in classification of timber and differences in measurement standards are all possible reasons for inconsistency in volume and value statisics between importing and exporting countries.
However, analysts believe illegal trade is the biggest contributor to the large data discrepancies recorded between Indonesia and several importing countries.
The study, the largest of its kind, is due to be completed next year and will comprise up to 11 case studies. So far the four studies carried out – in China, Indonesia, the UK and US – suggest that standardising the tracking and reporting of forest products would help transparency.
