RUSS TAYLOR provided the latest quarterly report from the Global Consulting Alliance… featuring commentary from six independent consulting companies that focus on the international forestry and wood products sectors. Highlights include:

• The forest sector remained caught between weak cyclical demand and stronger long-term fundamentals. Demand for construction timber, panels and related wood products continued to be constrained by elevated borrowing costs and subdued residential development in several major economies.
• China remained a challenging market for international hardwood suppliers. An April 2026 USDA market assessment reported that weaker global economic conditions, reduced exports of finished wood products and changing domestic supply conditions were affecting China’s hardwood market. The report also identified weaker construction-related demand and increased competition from domestically produced timber as important influences on import demand.
• Higher energy prices presented a direct cost risk to forestry and forest-products businesses.
• The European Commission completed its simplification review of the EUDR in May 2026.