In mid-February, Timber Development UK welcomed colleagues from ATIBT (Association Technique Internationale des Bois Tropicaux) to London for two days of discussions focused on strengthening collaboration between producer and consumer market associations.
The visit provided an opportunity to explore how UK and international partners can work more closely to support legal, sustainable tropical timber trade — particularly in a market shaped by post-Brexit trade dynamics, evolving due diligence requirements, and growing competition from substitute materials.
Strengthening Private Sector Engagement
Discussions focused on reinforcing the role of professional associations and private sector actors in:
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Increasing trade in legal and sustainably sourced tropical timber
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Reducing illegal timber trade through improved governance and transparency
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Aligning market requirements under the EUDR and UKTR with producer country national frameworks
A key theme was the growing importance of structured producer–buyer dialogue and practical tools that support compliance and market confidence.
Supporting the Broader Market Recognition Coalition (BMRC)
The visit also included a discussion around the international recognition of the Broader Market Recognition Coalition (BMRC), which brings together tropical producer countries working to promote their national sustainable forestry systems globally.
Founding members include Cameroon, Ghana, Guyana, Indonesia, Liberia and the Republic of Congo. By strengthening market demand for verified, sustainably sourced timber, the coalition aims to incentivise sustainable forest management and improve transparency across supply chains.
TDUK and ATIBT discussed how private-sector engagement can contribute to this objective, including:
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Producer–buyer exchange workshops and field visits
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SME capacity building on legality, traceability and compliance
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Practical guidance and e-learning modules for importers
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Joint communications at major trade events such as Carrefour International du Bois
The UK Market Context
The UK hardwood market remains strategically important but faces structural challenges.
Post-Brexit trade flows have shifted, with more sourcing taking place via European hubs rather than directly from producer countries. At the same time, tropical hardwood continues to face growing competition from substitute and modified materials.
These dynamics reinforce the need to focus on:
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Clear sustainability messaging
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Robust due diligence tools
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Technical performance and product innovation
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Market education around the value of sustainable tropical timber
Engineered Wood and Lesser-Known Timber Species
There was strong recognition that value-added processing and engineered wood solutions represent significant opportunities for the future.
Investment in engineered products can:
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Increase value addition in producer countries
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Reduce waste through full material utilisation
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Deliver consistent technical performance expected by European buyers
Participants also discussed the importance of promoting lesser known timber species (LKTS) through performance-based marketing — shifting the conversation from unfamiliar species names to technical specifications and end-use performance.
Contractual Frameworks
Finally, discussions touched on the modernisation of contractual tools for the tropical timber trade. TDUK is currently reviewing its standard contracts, and there is scope to explore collaboration with ATIBT to ensure grading rules and technical standards remain clear, practical and aligned with market realities.
The meeting builds on ongoing dialogue between TDUK, ATIBT and wider stakeholders, including discussions held in London in September 2024 with members of the UK hardwood trade.
Both organisations look forward to continuing practical collaboration to support transparent, sustainable and commercially viable tropical timber supply chains.
