Abstract
This paper analyses the demand-supply situation of Teakwood in Kerala State in India. The total demand for Teakwood during 2000-2001 was 96,294 m3, which was 4.7 per cent of the total demand for all timbers. Among the timber-using sectors, housing was the largest Teakwood-using sector. Teakwood export to other States within the country was 13,812 m3 of which 6335 m3 was Teak poles. The international export was only 113 m3. Of the total Teakwood supply, forest plantations accounted for 52 per cent, import 15 per cent and areas outside forests contributed the remaining 33 per cent. Production and consumption of Teakwood was more or less matched, with only a small deficit of 667 m3. Kerala, a traditional exporter, has now become a net importer. Shortening of the rotation age of forest Teak plantations to 50 years has reduced the production of larger girth logs. A policy for increasing the rotation age of forest Teak plantations must be adopted to make available high value larger girth logs for the national and international markets.
Keywords
Timbers, Forest plantations, Production, Consumption, Export, Import, Policy