BASELINE STUDY 5, Thailand - Forest Trends

ound logs are exported each year by the para-statal Forest Industry Organization (FIO), the only legallyauthorized
organization able to export logs.
The Thai data shows that the EU and USA typically import value-added forest products from Thailand. The EU
and the USA both import furniture and paper. US imports, however, dropped by 50% since 2005, by both volume
and value. Japan imports large volumes of woodchips from Thailand. In 2009 Thailand sent approximately
US$160 million of wooden furniture to the EU, US$ 180 million to Japan, and US$ 180 million to the USA. This
represents about US$ 470 million of exposure in this wood product category to these more environmentallysensitive
markets now requiring independent proof of legality and/or sustainability.
Figure 3. Thailand Pulp and Paper Exports by Value (US$ billion)
Source: European Forestry Institute, as compiled by James Hewitt, 2010.
The value of Thai paper exports has gradually increased, accounting for nearly US$ 1.3 billion in 2009 (Figure 3).
Overall, Thailand exports 23% of its paper production and 19% of its pulp output (FAO 2009:57). In the past,
due to the nature of its sourcing practices (i.e. heavily reliant upon domestic smallholder outgrowers, and recycled
paper), the Thai pulp and paper sector likely did not appear to be heavily exposed to international timber
legality issues. However, due to the rapid expansion of this sector around the world and the increase in the export
of high quality and glossy paper materials which rely on primary fibres, sourcing strategies are likely rapidly
changing and would be worth a more in-depth survey in the near future. Woodchips are exported to Japan and
China.
© EU FLEGT Facility, BASELINE STUDY 5, Thailand: Overview of Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade, July 2011
This Action is funded by the European Union and the governments of Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain and the UK. The views expressed herein
can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Union.
www.euflegt.efi.int
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