Import of secondary timber products by the EU28

Jan Oldenburger, Mark van Benthem, Casper de Groot, Martijn Boosten & Patrick Jansen, november 2014

The Probos Foundation has conducted a study on behalf of the World Wildlife Fund into the market for so-called secondary (ready-made) timber products. To gain insight into the importance of these products in the total timber volume, the World Wildlife Fund commissioned an assessment of how many of these products are imported and what share of these products currently does not fall under the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR).

An attempt has also been made to gain insight into the origin of the wood from which these products are made and an attempt has been made to determine the share of demonstrably sustainably produced products. This concerns products such as furniture, books, charcoal, guitars and kitchen utensils. The study shows that the financial value of these secondary timber products is 56% of the financial value of total timber imports (primary and secondary). Due to the high financial value of these processed products, the percentage (28%) expressed in timber volume is lower, but it still represents a significant part of the total import. In addition, the research shows that when looking again at the financial value of imports, 46.5% of processed timber products do not fall under the control of the EUTR. That is of course a significant share that cannot be ignored during the evaluation of the EUTR, which will take place in 2015. 

The study revealed few figures about the origin of the wood used for these products. Based on the study, no statements can be made about the use of wood from sustainably managed forests or illegal wood for these products.