We have really seen a big pick up in numbers checking us out at “forestry invest” judging by the quantity of emails we’ve been receiving of late. Generally the feedback has been quite positive, but thanks for any feedback, good or bad. A wide range of investors in forestry have sent in private comments, so we are definitely gathering some momentum. As you’ll be aware, Greenwood Management are sponsoring this site and many of their clients which follow forestry markets appear to be keeping an eye out on the updates we put out. So, all in all, an encouraging start so far for “forestry-invest.com” .
We have had a really strong interest from Australasia and the far East, and I have been asked for some more forestry news content on this geographic region. Aiming to please, I am trying to cover this a little more. My own areas of forestry investment historically have been largely in Europe and Latin America and so we have naturally covered this more closely since my knowledge of the regions has a greater depth.
Getting back to forestry related news. From New Zealand(!), a conference scheduled to take part in at Auckland next March will be looking at re- inforcing the links between the forestry industry and the investment community. The financial turbulence of late has forced many industries and invetment funds to more closely monitor their risk aversion policies. At the same time, forestry in New Zealand has thrived throughout 2009 via its export market and now the country looks to be poised to capitalise on recovering business conditions for domestic and export products. Many of the nations that are the major purchasers of New Zealands forestry products are now coming out from recession.
John Stulen of the Forest Industry Engineering Association said “Forest products companies in New Zealand have huge export opportunities in both bio-energy supplies and carbon credits– and finance company risk managers need to learn more about these.” The conference being held in March is entitled “Future Forestry Finance”. It is being co ordinated by in conjuction with several other important forestry assocations such as theNew Zealand Forest Owners Association and Wood Processors Association and Forest Industry Contractors Association.
During 2009 forestry harvest levels have remained stable since China, New Zealands biggest forestry client, has raised its imports of softwood logs from New Zealand by almost 50 percent. This has widened the market base for plantation forestry exports. Further good news in the wood energy sector for New Zealand as a new bio-energy plant will be commissioned in the spring.
Commenting further on the forestry outlook in John Stulen commented, “There have been some important changes in forestry ownership in New Zealand with treaty settlements adding significant Maori ownership of the timberlands. With Maori making up a big percentage of the workforce in traditional forestry their new land ownership role bodes well for the industry’s future. Finance industry leaders and executives will also learn a lot from the collection of international forestry investment experts who will play a leading part in the conference on 4-5th March at the Rendezvous Hotel in Auckland.” So a conference well worth attending if its in your neck of the woods.
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