Malaysia remained the largest supplier of tropical wood flooring to the European Union (EU27) in 2024, holding a commanding 46% market share despite a decline in export volumes.
Tropical hardwood/illustration only:
According to the International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO), Malaysia exported 8,500 tonnes of tropical wood flooring to the EU27 last year. While this marked a 16% drop from 2023, the country comfortably stayed ahead of Indonesia and Vietnam, which shipped 3,600 tonnes and 4,500 tonnes respectively. Overall, EU27 imports of tropical wood flooring fell eight per cent in volume and 16 per cent in value, totaling 18,400 tonnes valued at US$48.4 million.
Meanwhile, EU27 imports of other tropical joinery products—including laminated window scantlings, kitchen tops, and wood doors—increased by eight per cent in value to US$213 million, with quantities rising 14% to 91,600 tonnes. Notably, imports from Indonesia rose 19% to US$87.9 million, and from Vietnam surged 40% to US$18.8 million. China also rebounded slightly, growing eight per cent to US$3.4 million.
Central African countries made gains too, with imports from the Republic of Congo rising 28% to US$14.2 million and Cameroon jumping 69% to US$4.6 million. However, Malaysia’s exports in this category slipped nine per cent to US$61.8 million, while indirect imports via the UK declined seven per cent.
In tropical sawnwood, the EU27 saw a sharp 14% decline in imports to 726,000 cubic metres—the lowest on record. The value fell 13% to US$680.8 million. Nearly all major suppliers experienced drops, including Cameroon (-16%), Gabon (-18%), and Malaysia (-7%). Ecuador and Vietnam bucked the trend, increasing their shipments by 25% and 53% respectively.
The tropical mouldings sector also faced headwinds, with EU27 imports dropping three per cent to 131,300 tonnes, a new record low. Import value fell 10% to US$232.3 million. While shipments from Brazil and Gabon declined, Indonesia (+10%), Peru (+16%), and Malaysia (+3%) managed to increase their exports.
Tropical log imports into the EU27 fell dramatically, down 60% in volume to 37,000 cubic metres and 62% in value to US$21.9 million, largely due to tighter export restrictions in Central Africa.
Conversely, tropical plywood imports grew six per cent to 283,200 cubic metres, valued at US$205.7 million. Imports from Indonesia, however, fell 10%, while Malaysia’s surged 39% and Vietnam’s nearly doubled.
Lastly, tropical wood furniture imports into the EU27 saw a modest recovery, rising seven per cent in volume to 285,500 cubic metres and six per cent in value to US$1.193 billion. Vietnam, India, Malaysia, and the Philippines all posted growth, while Indonesia, Thailand, and Mexico saw declines.
ITTO, sarawaktribune
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Tropical hardwood/illustration only:
According to the International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO), Malaysia exported 8,500 tonnes of tropical wood flooring to the EU27 last year. While this marked a 16% drop from 2023, the country comfortably stayed ahead of Indonesia and Vietnam, which shipped 3,600 tonnes and 4,500 tonnes respectively. Overall, EU27 imports of tropical wood flooring fell eight per cent in volume and 16 per cent in value, totaling 18,400 tonnes valued at US$48.4 million.
Meanwhile, EU27 imports of other tropical joinery products—including laminated window scantlings, kitchen tops, and wood doors—increased by eight per cent in value to US$213 million, with quantities rising 14% to 91,600 tonnes. Notably, imports from Indonesia rose 19% to US$87.9 million, and from Vietnam surged 40% to US$18.8 million. China also rebounded slightly, growing eight per cent to US$3.4 million.
Central African countries made gains too, with imports from the Republic of Congo rising 28% to US$14.2 million and Cameroon jumping 69% to US$4.6 million. However, Malaysia’s exports in this category slipped nine per cent to US$61.8 million, while indirect imports via the UK declined seven per cent.
In tropical sawnwood, the EU27 saw a sharp 14% decline in imports to 726,000 cubic metres—the lowest on record. The value fell 13% to US$680.8 million. Nearly all major suppliers experienced drops, including Cameroon (-16%), Gabon (-18%), and Malaysia (-7%). Ecuador and Vietnam bucked the trend, increasing their shipments by 25% and 53% respectively.
The tropical mouldings sector also faced headwinds, with EU27 imports dropping three per cent to 131,300 tonnes, a new record low. Import value fell 10% to US$232.3 million. While shipments from Brazil and Gabon declined, Indonesia (+10%), Peru (+16%), and Malaysia (+3%) managed to increase their exports.
Tropical log imports into the EU27 fell dramatically, down 60% in volume to 37,000 cubic metres and 62% in value to US$21.9 million, largely due to tighter export restrictions in Central Africa.
Conversely, tropical plywood imports grew six per cent to 283,200 cubic metres, valued at US$205.7 million. Imports from Indonesia, however, fell 10%, while Malaysia’s surged 39% and Vietnam’s nearly doubled.
Lastly, tropical wood furniture imports into the EU27 saw a modest recovery, rising seven per cent in volume to 285,500 cubic metres and six per cent in value to US$1.193 billion. Vietnam, India, Malaysia, and the Philippines all posted growth, while Indonesia, Thailand, and Mexico saw declines.
ITTO, sarawaktribune
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