EU imports of tropical sawn wood increased 12% to 405,600 MT in the first half of 2019 compared to the same period in 2018. Import value increased 7% to €388.4 million. This aligns with market commentary earlier in the year, with sawn hardwood importers reporting generally steady, in some cases strong trading in 2019 including in tropical timber, despite some slowdown in economic activity and increased downside concerns about the medium-term outlook.  During the first half of 2019, EU businesses reported some issues with supply, but overall consumption was holding up while sawn ...