Selva Maya Tropical Timber Trade Mission, november 2024
Businesses interested in sustainable tropical timber sourcing will have the opportunity to explore timber species and meet key suppliers in Selva Maya, the second-largest tropical rainforest in the Americas. The event takes place from November 17th – 23rd, 2024. The trade mission, organized by the Rainforest Alliance, FSC, and Probos, aims to develop new market opportunities that promote forest conservation and strengthen the economic resilience of forest communities in Mexico and Guatemala.
Attendees will meet key actors across the tropical timber value chain, from established community forest enterprises to emerging suppliers, along with private sector stakeholders and government bodies. This is a unique opportunity to connect directly with potential suppliers of tropical timber from community-managed forests and learn more about the region's tropical timber species. These range from well-known commercial timber species such as mahogany and cedar to lesser-known timber species that are new to the market and have excellent technical specifications. Such species include chicozapote, tzalam, pucté, and manchiche.
Participants will also learn how responsible and ethical sourcing positively impacts the Selva Maya and the livelihoods of its guardians, and is critical to its conservation. All the forest communities that will be visited during the business encounter are FSC-certified or in the process of becoming FSC-certified.
The expected results of the trade mission will benefit all. It provides great opportunities for the (FSC-certified) forest communities to explore and engage in business relations with interested tropical timber traders from Europe, which supports the creation of sustainable livelihoods. In addition, the business relations that can be established during this event directly contribute to increasing and mainstreaming the trade and use of timber from, and thereby incentivize, sustainable forest management.
A program has been designed that will give first-hand insight into the timber production chain from the Selva Maya in both Mexico and Guatemala. Participants will also learn how responsible and ethical sourcing impacts the Selva Maya and the livelihoods of its guardians.
Program
| Sunday 17th November | Visit to Tikal pyramids, Guatemala |
| Monday 18th November | Networking sessions, Flores, Petén, Guatemala |
| Tuesday 19th – Wednesday 20th November | Sawmill and community forest enterprises visits in Petén, Guatemala |
| Thursday 21st November | Transfer to Chetumal, Mexico |
| Friday 22nd – Saturday 23rd November | Sawmill and community forest enterprises visits in Quintana Roo, Mexico |
Registration for the trade mission can be done by sending an email to Carlos Estrada from Rainforest Alliance (
Please sign up for the trade mission as soon as possible! The number of participants is limited.
All relevant details about the mission, including costs, payment options, and a detailed itinerary for the trade mission, can be found in the document available here. Please check this document for more information. For specific questions, please contact Carlos Estrada from Rainforest Alliance (
Publications
Report: Lucena, L; van Benthem, M; Report Selva Maya Trade Mission 2024. Rainforest Alliance. May, 2025
Article in magazine 'Houtwereld' dated December 2024
Item in the ETTF newsletter, dated January 2025
Item in the ITTO newsletter dated February 2025
Information
Probos expert(s) involved: Mark van Benthem, Andries Polinder
Client(s): the Rainforest Alliance, FSC, and the Probos Foundation
Project period: 2024
