The Myanma Timber Enterprise open tender sales were held on 22 and 25 February and the following average prices were recorded.
Prices are quoted in euro per ton, hoppus measure.

Teak Prices
Average prices during the January 2013 Teak tender sales are shown below. Prices are in Euro, per hoppus ton.

Hoppus ton=1.8m³; All grades, except SG-3/5/6, are length 8' x girth 5' &up. SG-3/4/6 are girth 4' &up. SG-3 grade is higher than SG-4 but with lower girth and price.
Prices differ due to quality or girth at the time of the transaction.

Traders are reporting that the current market for teak logs is very firm. The prospect of a complete log export ban is driving dealers to increase their stocks of teak logs.

Average prices at the most recent auction were firm despite some inconsistent grading which was of concern to buyers. Some buyers said that reasonably good log parcels were made available for the sealed bid part of the February sale.

In contrast to the better than expected price levels for logs for export, average prices for logs for use by local millers were much lower however, the grades that were purchased by the domestic mills were also lower than those purchased by exporters.

Fresh Gurjan logs, especially those suitable for veneer, were in strong demand. Analysts say that buyers have started to take the prospect of the log export ban seriously judging from the trend in demand and price levels. Buyers of Gurjan prefer fresh logs as they are mainly used for veneer.

Timber legality workshop
The Minister for Environmental Affairs and Forestry (MOECAF) recently opened a workshop on ‘Timber Legality Assurance Systems’ (TLAS) and his address was reported in the state owned vernacular daily newspaper the ‘Mirror Daily’.

The minister highlighted the need for Myanmar to implement a TLAS to ensure Myanmar exporters can secure access to the EU market. He stated that Myanmar has had many years of experience in harvesting timber and downstream processing in accordance with national forest laws and regulations.

In December 2012, the Myanmar Certification Scheme was introduced and he mentioned that formation of a timber certification committee has been proposed. He mentioned the need to establish independent auditing agencies to certify that harvesting, logging and transportation is in accordance with the laws and is conducted in an open and transparent manner.

Recently an EU delegation visited the MOECAF and discussed the EU Timber Regulation. The minister also welcomed the plan by the EU and the Myanmar Timber
Merchants Association to jointly organise a ‘Timber Certification Training Workshop’.

Discussions continue with international bodies with a view to securing assistance in the field of forest conservation, legalisation and the development of the Myanmar wood industry.