Page 16 - FDMAsia Mar/Apr 2026

14 FOCUS MAR/APR 2026 FDM ASIA | www.fdmasia.com

ITTO TROPICAL TIMBER MARKET REPORT

Countries are pushing forward with more strategic partnerships to seek new opportunities and
reduce risks. 2026 is still considered a year of recovery, but rising geopolitical tensions mean there
are still many challenges ahead. ITTO shares more about the latest developments.

MALAYSIA of trade. Malaysia’s exports to member countries of the

CITES proposal on Shorea Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific
Tan Peng Juan, president of the Malaysian Timber Association, Partnership (CPTPP) rose by 4.7 percent to RM486.80 billion
said he had serious concerns over attempts by the European in 2025 compared with RM464.80 billion in 2024.
Union and the US to propose the inclusion of more tropical The increase was largely driven by higher exports to Mexico
timbers under Appendix II of CITES at the 20th Conference (up 57%), Chile (15.3%), Singapore (8.1%), Vietnam (2.6%),
of the Parties (CoP20). the UK (2.4%), Canada (2.1%) and Peru (1.6%).
He said, any proposal to list major traded timber species Through the CPTPP, exporters can access non-traditional,
like Genus Shorea under CITES should be substantiated by gain preferential access to the UK market, which had previously
credible scientific evidence and accurate trade data in line been subject to tariffs.

with the criteria established under the convention. Statistics show that the issuance of Certificates of Origin (CO)
for the CPTPP bloc surged dramatically to 21,993 in2024 with an
FTA facilitated expansion of trade export value of RM7 billion compared with 6,230 COs and RM 2.7
Free trade Agreements (FTA) have facilitated expansion billion in exports in 2023.The CPTPP has 12 member countries.

Cleyder Duque