Sep 10, 2008. /Lesprom.com/. South American countries have experienced a mixed 2008, with wood exports rising and falling, ITTO reported. Brazil, Peru and Bolivia have all experienced a downturn in exports at some point during the year-to-date, with Brazil seeing a decline of 7.3% in July to $307.2 million, Peru seeing a fall in value of $6.71 million year on year in June and Bolivian exports dropping to $52.59 million during the period January to April, a decline of 12%. However, Peruvian wood exports for the first half of the year rose by 15% to $119.1 million, continuing a period of steady growth since 2003. Semi-manufactured and sawnwood products were key amongst Peru’s gain in the first six months, up 27% to $34.2 million and 4% to $55.86 million year on year respectively. In June, Peru’s sawnwood market declined by $7.66 million but this was offset by a $400,000 increase in the value of the semi-manufactured market as exports of decking products to China improved.