Economy

Momentum for South Africa and for Forestry is Building

forestry

Momentum for South Africa and for Forestry is Building As has been the norm for the past few years, 2025 presented our Industry and the world, with a fresh set of challenges. The most glaring of these in the global context, has been the second term of office of the convicted criminal and President of […]

The Year of Collaboration

collaboration

The Year of Collaboration “South African forestry is not merely keeping pace with global change – it is helping to shape it.” As we draw the curtain on another year, it is impossible not to reflect on the complex landscape in which South Africa’s Forestry Sector has operated. Globally, political uncertainty, conflict and economic headwinds […]

Softwood Lumber Outlook 2030: Turbulence, Trade Shifts, and New Opportunities

lumber

Softwood Lumber Outlook 2030: Turbulence, Trade Shifts, and New Opportunities Global outlook 2025-2030 Softwood lumber markets globally are emerging from several years of weak demand and now face new trade restrictions that could dramatically reshape global trade. U.S. import tariffs, a property crisis in China, and war in Europe all add to uncertainty in the […]

The Surprising Ways Trees Are Shaping Everyday Life

forestry

The Surprising Ways Trees Are Shaping Everyday Life Sappi’s evolving value chain in a circular economy Every day, millions of people interact with products made from trees – often without realising it. Whether in the form of packaging, clothing fibres, food additives, or personal care ingredients, woodfibre has become a quiet constant in modern life. […]

The Changing Landscape Of South Africa’s Pulp And Paper Sector

pulp

The Changing Landscape Of South Africa’s Pulp And Paper Sector PAPER PUNNETS South African packaging manufacturer and recycler Mpact has introduced its Freshpact range of paper punnets that are food-safe and 100% Forest Stewardship Council-certified Photo by Mpact The South African pulp and paper sector continues to play a vital role in the country’s economy, providing essential […]

From the FSA Executive Director’s Desk

FSA

From the FSA Executive Director’s Desk COMPETITION COMMISSION GRANTS FSA EXEMPTION – 21 JULY As reported in May, FSA made an application to the Competition Commission seeking approval for our members to collaborate around several of our key rail and port Industry projects. FSA Operations Director, Mr Francois Oberholzer, has followed up regularly with the […]

Tropical Timber Markets And Value Chains: Aligning Market Forces With Forest Sustainability

tropical

Tropical Timber Markets And Value Chains: Aligning Market Forces With Forest Sustainability At the FSC General Assembly in Panama, experts and industry leaders called for renewed collaboration between certification, policy, and markets to ensure that tropical forests—and the communities who depend on them—can thrive. In a packed room at the FSC General Assembly 2025 in […]

More Than 400 Organizations Urge President Trump to Act on National Forestry Crisis

forestry

More Than 400 Organizations Urge President Trump to Act on National Forestry Crisis Washington, D.C. — More than 400 associations, businesses, and landowners representing the forest products sector have signed a joint letter to President Donald J. Trump urging immediate action to address an escalating crisis threatening America’s timber supply, rural economies, and energy security. The effort, […]

Timber Industry Braces In Troubled Times

timber

Timber Industry Braces In Troubled Times The timber industry is battening down the hatches, as it struggles with low demand, increased running costs, and wars and tariffs overseas. Carter Holt Harvey has announced plans to shut its Eves Valley sawmill near Nelson and consolidate its operations to Kawerau in Bay of Plenty, blaming weak markets. The closure […]

From The Executive Directors’s Desk

executive

From The Executive Directors’s Desk Each quarter, FSA’s Executive Director, Michael Peter, circulates several short briefings via WhatsApp, updating members on important economic, political and social issues—both domestic and international—that could impact the Sector. DA CHALLENGES THE EMPLOYMENT EQUITY AMENDMENT ACT – 5 MAY As reported by FSA in February, the Department of Labour did […]

Strategic Shifts in Global Forestry

forestry

Strategic Shifts in Global Forestry As we move through the second half of 2025, global market dynamics continue to shift in ways that demand our attention and strategic foresight. The recent escalation of U.S. tariffs under President Trump has introduced new complexities into the global pulp and paper industry—an industry that, of course, exerts strong […]

Sappi reports results for the third financial quarter

Sappi reports results for the third financial quarter Commenting on the group’s results, Sappi Chief Executive Officer, Steve Binnie said: “The group faced a particularly challenging quarter, marked by ongoing global economic weakness and heightened uncertainty stemming from persistent trade and tariff tensions. Sales volumes were impacted by the ramp-up of the Somerset Mill PM2 […]

Sappi delivers solid results in difficult economic climate

Sappi

Sappi delivers solid results in difficult economic climate Commenting on the group’s results, Sappi Chief Executive Officer Steve Binnie said: “Within the context of ongoing challenging global macroeconomic conditions and weak paper markets I am pleased that the group delivered EBITDA of US$156 million, which was in line with guidance provided in the prior quarter.” […]

Understanding (and operating) in a weird economy

The economy is weird. We don’t say that lightly: economists and commentators from the New York Times to the Washington Post have used the same word – weird – to describe an environment where inflation is high (double digits, even in some developed economies), interest rates are high, and a global recession appears inevitable. At Dolphin Bay, we are confused by […]