Structure and Conditions of the Hardwood Value Chains in the South Baltic Region Edgar Kastenholz

1. Structure and Conditions of the Hardwood Value Chains in the South Baltic Region Edgar Kastenholz European Network of Forest Entrepreneurs (ENFE) www.enfe.net ENFE, Edgar Kastenholz, Structure and Conditions in the Hardwood Value Chains

2. Objectives of the study: • Describe the structure and conditions of SMEs in the hardwood value chain in the South Baltic Region. SWOT ANALYSIS • Describe working conditions with particular focus on training demand for improvement of benefits from hardwoods in the region • Assess existing and required political and extension support structures (focus on training and education?). ENFE, Edgar Kastenholz, Structure and Conditions in the Hardwood Value Chains

3. Methods: • Data collection for economic frame conditions to estimate the role and procedures of hardwood production in the region • How much timber is available …? • Who are the actors in terms of numbers and economic size? • Interviews with core actors in the region to verify and specify the information obtain by written inquiries. • Desk studies ENFE, Edgar Kastenholz, Structure and Conditions in the Hardwood Value Chains

4. Time Frame: • Data collection for economic frame conditions • 31 December 2010 • Assessment of Economic Conditions • 15 January 2011 • Swot analysis • 31 January 2011 • Working conditions and training demand • 31. January 2011 • Describing political support structures • 31. December 2011 ENFE, Edgar Kastenholz, Structure and Conditions in the Hardwood Value Chains

5. Where are we now? • Late start due to insecure contract conditions • First inquiry template sent to partner with request for return in short notice. • Returns until 29 November: For Sweden and Germany. ENFE, Edgar Kastenholz, Structure and Conditions in the Hardwood Value Chains

6. Why this awful tables? • Since time is short and resources are limited, we need as much explorative information in „one shot“ • The intention of the template is not to get precise statistical data (of course as precise as possible) BUT to draw a true picture of the situation. ENFE, Edgar Kastenholz, Structure and Conditions in the Hardwood Value Chains

7. First lessons learned: • Knowledge about hardwood value chain in the region is scarce! (Hey, there is a reason to carry out this study!) • Even for experts form the HaG partnership it is hard to provide information e.g. about structure of the sector – the issue hardwood value chain is an unploughed field. • Some questions asked will not satisfactory be answered for all districts – we have to find ways to bridge knowledge gaps. ENFE, Edgar Kastenholz, Structure and Conditions in the Hardwood Value Chains

8. First impressions (1) ENFE, Edgar Kastenholz, Structure and Conditions in the Hardwood Value Chains

9. First impressions (2) • In Swedish South Baltic region some 400 people earn their living from harvesting and transport. • The processing industry employs five times more • Markets for timber products are already to a large extend regional – ie South Baltic Region! • ASSUMPTION (main issue to follow up): A weakness seems to be in the raw material supply rather than processing and marketing. ENFE, Edgar Kastenholz, Structure and Conditions in the Hardwood Value Chains

10. First impressions (3) • In the German coastal region beech and oak play LOCALLY an important role. It seems that they have been well maintained and silviculturally treated. Balanced age structure and rather low standing stock gives the impression that there is a potential for quality of timber. • TWO THINGS SEEM EXCITING: Can this generally small amount of timber be branded „South Baltic“ and is there a market potential in the Region? ENFE, Edgar Kastenholz, Structure and Conditions in the Hardwood Value Chains

11. Next Steps • Data collection to be continued • SWOT analysis – assumptions to be veryfied Be warned: There will be more questions in the next weeks! ENFE, Edgar Kastenholz, Structure and Conditions in the Hardwood Value Chains