24 delegations from 20 different countries, representing more than 80% of the global market in sawn softwood, met in Rome on 20 and 21 October 2005 for the 53rd European Softwood Conference. This 53rd European Softwood Conference was hosted by Fedecomlegno, the Italian wood trade association, and organised in co-operation with the Brussels-based European Organisation of the Sawmill Industry (EOS) and the Union pour le Commerce des Bois Résineux (UCBR European Softwood Federation). The conference reviewed the past, present and future developments in the international market for sawn softwood and wood products and discussed key issues affecting the sector. The statistical survey made on behalf of the conference confirmed the record levels in sawn softwood production and consumption reached in 2004 (268 million m³ / + 6.3% in production, 258 million m³ / + 5.9% in consumption). For 2005, a further 2% increase is expected in production, with total production expected to attain a volume of close to 274 million m³. Consumption would grow by 1.1%. The current expectations for the developments in 2006 are less positive, due to the uncertainties created by the quickly changing framework conditions on the economic and political fields. Concern was expressed over the growing discrepancy between the production and consumption volumes, especially in the European countries, putting strong pressure on the markets. For 2006 some countries expect slightly lower production volumes due to insufficient log supplies, despite the abundance of wood in Europes forests.
Senior representatives from leading companies gave in-depth reports on the world softwood markets, both from a producer and consumer perspective. A special presentation was given on the use of softwood in Italy, where it has been possible to grow the market especially for construction purposes through the activities of Promo_legno, a joint promotion action of the Austrian and Italian industries.
The conference confirmed the need for well co-ordinated and enhanced actions to raise the consumption of wood and wood products. Presentations on the European wood initiative, presently focusing on Japan and China, and the Roadmap 2010 action of CEI-Bois (European Confederation of Woodworking Industries) stressed this need in particular.
Finally, the positive role of wood and wood products in the context of the Kyoto protocol and the opportunities presented through the use of biomass for the production of renewable energy strengthened the conviction of the participations in their raw material: wood. Considering the internationalisation of the Softwood Conference and the globalisation of the softwood trade, the 54th Softwood Conference will be held in Québec City (Canada) from 16 to 20 October 2006. Host will be the Canadian wood industry through Canada Wood.
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