Eucalyptus globulus is the main industrial tree species in Portugal. It was introduced in Europe in 1770 from East-Timor and in Portugal during 1820s. Eucalyptus pulp production began in Portugal as early as 1906. Currently, there are some 760,000 ha eucalyptus forests in Portugal, and the annual harvest volume is 7-8 million m3.
In the past years, roundwood imports from Russia to the European Union have been appr. 7 million m3 per annum of which up to over 70% is birch – mainly pulpwood. As a result of the war in Ukraine, the Russian roundwood trade to Europe has come to an end for time being. This implies an increasing demand for the domestic short fibre pulpwood within the EU.
Supplying currently appr. 20,000 m3 eucalyptus wood per annum to market from its forests in Portugal, the increased scarcity of short fibre wood is also observed in the context of Dasos wood deliveries.
From the viewpoint of general stand management of eucalyptus forests in Portugal, the demand stimulus may guide to upgrade towards more intensive silviculture practises. Increasing the productivity of stands may help filling the supply gap while scarcity is likely to prevail.
For more information, please contact Petteri Seppänen at petteri.seppanen@dasos.fi
