Jun 17, 2015. /Lesprom Network/. The volume of Brazilian timber exports expanded 20% between January and April this year mainly due to the effect of the weaker currency against the US dollar and because domestic consumption was weak, ITTO reports.

According to the Association of Mechanically-Processed Timber Industry (ABIMCI) recovery in US demand helped to boost Brazilian timber exports. However, expansion of demand in the US was not enough to sustain overall output because domestic timber consumption fell sharply mainly because of lower investment in construction.

ABIMCI is working with government agencies on a plan to stimulate timber consumption in housing and has proposed changes to the national housing financing scheme and technical standards to encourage the building of wooden houses in Brazil.