Market Signals from the Solid Wood Consumers to Timber Producers : Methods for Improving the Connections Between Users and Producers of Radiata Pine in New Zealand
Hirvonen, Elina; Saala, Elina (2012)
Hirvonen, Elina
Saala, Elina
Tampereen ammattikorkeakoulu
2012
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2012061012347
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2012061012347
Tiivistelmä
New Zealand’s wood supply chain is characterised by a lack of vertical integration within individual companies. This presents challenges for passing market signals about product performance requirements from the end-users back to the growers. In addition, while the main commercial species, radiata pine (Pinus radiata) has good growth rates, its wood properties are considered average at best for a number of end uses. The objectives of this project were: to survey forest managers, wood processors and end-users to determine their satisfaction with the wood quality of radiata pine; and to establish whether there is a gap between the end-users and growers and how could they be linked.
Suvery results showed that radiata pine is liked because it is suitable for many different end uses. It is sustainable, readily available and fast growing, but its quality needs to get better and different sectors have different attributes that they would like improved. The majority of respondents identified that resin was one of the biggest wood quality issues. The relationship between the end-users and growers is seen as poor, with market signals not passed between them. The lack of vertically-integrated companies was seen as a possible reason for this. The interviews indicate also that growers and end-users do not know how to make the first step on making the relationship better.
There is a need for the wood quality of radiata pine to improve. By growing better quality trees the end-users would get the right quality required for their products, which could improve the relationship between the growers and end-users. Further research is required to find the right tools to connect the end-users and growers.
Suvery results showed that radiata pine is liked because it is suitable for many different end uses. It is sustainable, readily available and fast growing, but its quality needs to get better and different sectors have different attributes that they would like improved. The majority of respondents identified that resin was one of the biggest wood quality issues. The relationship between the end-users and growers is seen as poor, with market signals not passed between them. The lack of vertically-integrated companies was seen as a possible reason for this. The interviews indicate also that growers and end-users do not know how to make the first step on making the relationship better.
There is a need for the wood quality of radiata pine to improve. By growing better quality trees the end-users would get the right quality required for their products, which could improve the relationship between the growers and end-users. Further research is required to find the right tools to connect the end-users and growers.