Wood products trade data is available from various sources such as FAOSTAT, UN Comtrade, USA Trade Online, USA Trade, USDA GATS, Statistics Canada, EuroStat, Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), China’s State Forestry Administration, etc. This data is the lifeblood of trade research. Yet it is well known that these statistics are often inconsistent and sometimes quite obviously incorrect. In addition, these are large databases with complicated collection processes covering a wide range of products and industries, not just wood products. The providers cannot reasonably be expected to recognize and adjust for discrepancies and inconsistencies that only become apparent upon closer examination with industry expertise. Some private companies have developed proprietary data, but access to this specialized knowledge is often infeasible for small- and medium enterprises or government departments operating with limited resources and tight budgets.
With support from USDA’s McIntire-Stennis program, CINTRAFOR is building a wood products trade database that will improve the quality and accessibility of this vital data. The project will develop a multi-source wood products interactive database using increasingly available API features (Application Programing Interface) to download and automatically update statistics that can then be cross-checked to identify relevant inconsistencies and discrepancies for which adjustments can be estimated, documented and archived. Automatic updates will enable timelier trend analysis. Regional analysis can exclude inter-regional trade. Multi-source data will reduce uncertainty and facilitate investigation. The resulting database will allow a level of research and analysis previously difficult to achieve and maintain through monthly updates.
It may take up to two years before the database is built and tested enough to allow public access. In the meantime, we will post bi-monthly updates to this web page exhibiting analysis performed using the database.
With support from USDA’s McIntire-Stennis program, CINTRAFOR is building a wood products trade database that will improve the quality and accessibility of this vital data. The project will develop a multi-source wood products interactive database using increasingly available API features (Application Programing Interface) to download and automatically update statistics that can then be cross-checked to identify relevant inconsistencies and discrepancies for which adjustments can be estimated, documented and archived. Automatic updates will enable timelier trend analysis. Regional analysis can exclude inter-regional trade. Multi-source data will reduce uncertainty and facilitate investigation. The resulting database will allow a level of research and analysis previously difficult to achieve and maintain through monthly updates.
It may take up to two years before the database is built and tested enough to allow public access. In the meantime, we will post bi-monthly updates to this web page exhibiting analysis performed using the database.
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The ability to quickly and easily analyze regional net trade will be valuable, especially when analysis involves Europe. Lumber or logs shipped from Oregon to California is (appropriately) not considered international trade nor included in the trade statistics. But lumber or logs shipped from Germany to Belgium is considered international trade and is included in the trade statistics. This can create a distorted view of international trade.
For example, in 2018, Western Europe is reported to have imported 114 million cubic meters of logs and lumber. But 61% of that volume was trade within Western Europe, and another 30% was imports from Eastern Europe. Imports from non-European countries were actually less than 10 million cubic meters, and if we exclude Russia, imports were only 1.7 million cubic meters. |
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