Global demand for certified hardwood products as determined from a survey of hardwood exporters

U.S. hardwood exporters were surveyed to determine the current international markets for certified hardwood products (CHWP) and to document the experiences of hardwood exporters concerning CHWP and certification. There was a 42 percent response rate to the 265 mailed surveys. Twenty-six percent of exporting companies received requests for CHWP. These requests represented < 5 percent of the companies? total export business. The experiences of the responding exporters parallels that reported in previously published studies. Willingness to pay a premium is low. Over half of the exporters indicated that customers will not pay any premium. Chain-of-custody issues are a major problem and the supply of certified hardwood lumber is small. Only large companies owning their own forests have no problem with certification, chain-of-custody documentation, or supply. The markets remain predominantly niche markets centered in northern Europe. China is emerging as a major market for primary CHWP.

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