Mato Grosso’s forestry sector earns US$104.6 million in business with 61 countries | VGN

In 2023, Mato Grosso’s timber industries traded with 61 countries, totaling US$104.6 million in foreign sales of forestry products. The main markets were the United States (US$16.7 million), India (US$13 million) and China (US$11 million). The most exported products include raw, sawn and profiled wood, according to information from the Ministry of Development, Industry, Commerce and Services (Mdic).

In the first quarter of 2024, US$18.3 million was already earned with the shipment of 16.6 thousand tons of wood, according to complementary data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Mapa). These results position Mato Grosso as the fourth largest wood exporter in Brazil.

The president of the Center for Wood Producing and Exporting Industries of the State of Mato Grosso (Cipem), Ednei Blasius, reports that access to consumer markets, both internal and external, has been gradually expanded. For 2024, sector representations are scheduled at the main national and international events, taking place in São Paulo and France.

Still in this first semester, the 5th edition of “Day in the Forest” will take place in Alta Floresta, which will highlight sustainable production and include a business roundtable. Last year, Cipem represented Brazil at events in China and India.

“Mato Grosso has 5.025 million hectares of managed and conserved forests, produced 7 million cubic meters of wood in 2022 and collected R$66 million in taxes. The sector is vital to the state’s economy, being the main source of revenue in several municipalities and employing 10 thousand people. The forestry production tracking system, Sisflora 2.0, is considered the most efficient in the world, ensuring the origin and legality of the products”, emphasizes Blasius. Cipem brings together 8 unions and 523 industries in 66 of the state’s 141 municipalities, employing 12,712 people. “Our objective is to advance further in the market, both in Brazil and abroad”, says Blasius.

According to the president of the National Forum for Forestry-Based Activities (FNBF), Frank Rogieri, one of the issues that impede the fluidity of trade in native wood is the delay of up to four months for the release of goods in Brazilian seaports. As a solution, it is proposed to use the Dry Port in Cuiabá, also facilitating service to the northern states. Increasing the number of servers at ports is another measure suggested to eliminate obstacles and speed up international shipments of forestry products. “We request the support of the National Confederation of Industry (CNI) to normalize exports”, he concludes.

Another 2024 initiative to reduce bureaucracy and strengthen the trade in native wood is the launch of the ABNT PR 1020 Recommended Practice – Native Tropical Forest Management, a standard that promotes forest management and is endorsed by the Brazilian Association of Technical Standards (ABNT). “This will guarantee greater security for customers when purchasing traceable and ecologically sustainable products”, highlights the president of Cipem. (With advice).