The Softwood Plywood Consortium (SPC) applauds the EU’s launch of a new anti-dumping investigation into unfairly priced Brazilian Softwood plywood imports, and the imminent registration at the border of all such imports to the EU. This timely decision is in response to a complaint filed by the SPC on behalf of 4 leading European softwood plywood producers, including UPM Plywood.
Imports of softwood plywood from Brazil have increased significantly in recent years, with Brazilian producers now surpassing EU producers as the primary suppliers of the EU market. With Brazil’s production capacity far exceeding total EU consumption, Brazil has become the world’s largest exporter of this product accounting for nearly half of all softwood plywood sold within the EU.
“Brazil’s own market is contracting and restrictions in other markets, such as the United States, are causing Brazil to divert its excess production to the EU at totally unfair prices,” an SPC’s spokesperson said. “The concern is that Brazil is exporting at dumped prices, meaning Softwood Plywood is being sold at a price below its normal value in Brazil. This investigation is therefore crucial to ensure the future of the entire EU softwood plywood value chain, from forest owners, loggers and suppliers to producers.”
The investigation led by the European Commission will now examine whether Brazilian producers are indeed dumping softwood plywood in the EU, and what the consequences of those practices for European businesses are.
Under recent procedural changes, initiation of the investigation will automatically require all imports of Brazilian Softwood Plywood to be registered at EU borders. This will enable European customs officials to collect additional duties retroactively should they be imposed as a result of the Commission’s findings once this investigation is concluded.
SPC and its supporters are committed fully to cooperating with the European Commission to ensure a successful outcome for the industry and its workers.
About the Softwood Plywood (SPC) Consortium:
Established in 2024 as an ad hoc Consortium of leading EU producers of Softwood Plywood: the Czech Republic’s Wotan Forest, a.s., Finland’s UPM-Plywood Oy, France’s Thebault Group and Poland’s Paged Morąg S.A.
SPC leverages trade policy instruments to further its commitment to fostering a level playing field in the EU market that ensures fairness and sustainability in the EU Softwood Plywood industry.