• What is Pro Tropenholz?  Pro Tropenholz is an association of long-established timber importers and distributors with similar concerns..

    What is Pro Tropenholz?

    Pro Tropenholz is an association of long-established timber importers and distributors with similar concerns..

  • Trade in Tropical Timber  A legitimate international timber trade does not lead to the destruction of the vital tropical forests.

    Trade in Tropical Timber

    A legitimate international timber trade does not lead to the destruction of the vital tropical forests.

  • Boycotting Tropical Timber  A boycott does not address the issue of saving the forests.

    Boycotting Tropical Timber

    A boycott does not address the issue of saving the forests.

  • Preservation of Tropical Timber  The economic use of this precious resource enables the protection of the entire eco-system.

    Preservation of Tropical Timber

    The economic use of this precious resource enables the protection of the entire eco-system.

  • Sustainable Use of Tropical Timber  Sustainable use and a sensible afforestation also benefit the people living in or near them.

    Sustainable Use of Tropical Timber

    Sustainable use and a sensible afforestation also benefit the people living in or near them.

Can the Tropical Timber Trade be blamed for the carve-up of tropical forests?

The international timber trade cannot be held responsible for potentially ruining the tropical forests. Even though the public may think so:  the wrecking of the forests – on average between 10 and 15 million hectares are lost annually – is due to various causes.  According to figures obtained scientifically by the Federal Research Institute of Forestry and the Timber Trade.

60% of the areas are lost through itinerant peasants burning down the forests, a result of of the population increase in those areas.

30% of the woodlands are lost to agricultural and large-scale projects (e.g. for the cultivation of soy and palm oil) – still rising – and

10% through inefficient and non-sustainable use.