Uruguay carried out the first pilot test for the export of deforestation-free chips, a standard that will be mandatory starting in December of this year at the request of the European Union (EU) bound for Portugal.
As reported by the Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries (MGAP), through the General Forestry Directorate (DGF) and with support from the Uruguayan Agency for International Cooperation (AUCI) The first pilot export test of deforestation-free wood chips was carried out.
This will be mandatory as of December 31 for all exporters in the country. forestry sector who try to enter their products into the European Union. The regulations establish the obligation for all exporters to demonstrate that their products are free of deforestation.
Faced with this, from the Uruguayan Agency for International Cooperation (AUCI) and the ministry, through the DGF They are carrying out a project financed by AL-INVEST Verde between 2023 and the current with the objective of advising the DGF to implement a public certification system that supports the demands of the EU.
In this way, and the collaboration of Woods from Uruguay (Madelur), Regulations were implemented that aim to verify complete traceability of all products in the sector, from the beginning of the process to the moment of shipment.
Exports from the forestry sector will exceed US$3,000M this year
He forestry sector It is heading to be the main export item for the country after this milestone was expected for last year. “The forestry sector is growing considerably, it represents 15% of total exports,” said the Forestry General Director of the Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries (MGAP), Carlos Faroppaabout.
With the start-up of the second plant of UPM in the country, the production and export capacity of cellulose grew considerably: from 2.7 million tons processed during 2022, this year it is expected to increase to 4.8 million tons.
The inauguration of the facilities in Bull Pass had already generated expectations that, in 2023, the forestry sector would dethrone forestry exports meat with pulp as the main product placed in international markets, in a year in which, furthermore, demand and prices were equally low. However, and due to the usual production curve at the beginning of operations, UPM 2 It will reach its maximum capacity only this year.
Therefore, it is expected that the sector will continue to experience considerable growth. In fact, today it already represents 6% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 15% of the total exports of the country, as Faroppa explained on Radio Carve. “He is going to become the main export sector because new industries are being added,” the leader said.
Source: Ambito
