Timber

Timber

Our Timber Program

Overview

The Solomon Islands forestry sector has been the mainstay of the economy for over 40 years, providing up to 80% of foreign earnings over that period. Recent Solomon Islands Government (SIG) initiatives in collaboration with donor partners are aimed at refocusing the industry towards increased domestic processing and value-adding. The benefits of increased domestic processing include increased employment opportunities for Solomon Islanders, less reliance on imported goods and expansion of locally owned enterprises.

The Solomon Islands’ forestry sector comprises two main sub-sectors - the dominant natural forest round log export sub-sector and the smaller plantations sub-sector. Within these, end markets were assessed to ensure demand and potential demand warrants investment in corresponding value chains.
Export volumes have ranged between 10,000 to 14,000 m3 per annum, a small fraction of the volume exported as round logs.
Indicative sales information for the formal economy suggests approximately 14-16,000 m3/year is used domestically for construction and furniture production which would mean the local demand is similar in size to the current export market.
Develop a ‘First Mile’ harvesting and transport supply chain for smallholder plantations.
Develop sawmilling processing capacity and milling techniques for plantation grown logs.
Develop the value-chain based on locally grown plantation species.
Promote Fuelwood and alternatives for domestic cooking.
Replace Natural Forest (NF) timbers with plantation timbers.
Establish formal ‘buy local’ structures to promote local processing and use.
Establish building standards, structural timber grading standards and appearance timber grading standards.
A high performing harvesting, transporting, sawmilling supply chain is established to increase use of plantation species.
A plantation fuelwood supply chain is established, resulting in reduced demand for NF timber.
The building and construction sector replace NF timbers with plantation timbers for the majority of applications.
The value-adding / fabrication sector invests in and adopts the usage of sustainably produced timber products. The furniture and joinery sector alter usage patterns and adopt appearance grade plantation timbers like Teak and Mangium.
Overall demand for plantation species increases, incentivising smallholder plantation owners to expand plantations.
More jobs created for women, youth, and People Living With Disability as a result of participation in scaled-up plantation species value chain.
Ultimately, increased net income for households.