2. Current status of national forestry statistics related to wood-products.

Forestry as an independent sector attracts very little national attention since its contribution to the Barbados economy is almost negligible. Consequently, crucial information relating to the utilisation of local wood in most cases is not totally accurate or, does not exist at all. The local manufacturing sector for many years has been involved in the importation and exportation of several products made from wood, bamboo, metals and plastics, hence, all commercial activities involving wood is being viewed as manufacturing rather than forestry. Currently, the Barbados Mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni) is the only local tree species being commercially exploited and that is done on a very small scale since there is only one major enterprise utilising local wood. This species (Mahogany) was introduced to Barbados in 1763 and planted mostly around sugar plantations to be used as a source of fuel. However, for several decades now, the majority of Barbadians have been using hydrocarbons (natural gas, kerosene, etc.) as sources of fuel and consequently deforestation of this and other local tree species was reduced significantly.

At the national level, there are approximately fifty-three (53) enterprises producing wooden-products for export, but of course, the bulk of this raw material is imported. Exports for 1997, 1998 and 1999 stood at BDS $ 1, 607, 967, BDS $ 1, 535, 919 and BDS $ 1, 211, 332 respectively, while imports for those same years stood at BDS $ 35, 996, 493, BDS $ 42, 665, 247 and 42, 234, 572 respectively (see tables below). These figures clearly demonstrate that large quantities of wood and wooden products are being imported annually and such products include, wood in its natural state, (poles, lumber etc.) processed wood, (plywood, particleboard, fibreboard, veneer, charcoal, etc.) and paper in a variety of forms.

As it relates to actual quantities, domestic imports for the years 1998 and 1999 were 61, 904, 112 and 61, 543, 308 kilograms respectively, while exports for those same years were 3, 906, 140 and 3, 331, 768 kilograms respectively. For the first half of 2000, (January to July) imports were 29, 168, 543 kilograms while exports were 1, 741, 831 kilograms. Between 1998 and 2000 these quantities had hardly fluctuated and this can easily be confirmed by comparing 1998 figures to those recorded for 1999 or even comparing both of these years to the first half of 2000. Monetary figures for 1997, 1998 and 1999 provide further evidence to suggest that both imports and exports remained almost constant throughout the latter part of the nineties (see tables below).

The methodology employed for data collection is quite acceptable since both imports and exports must past through the local Customs Department, and accurate information relating to all products is recorded. The procedure at Customs is quite the same for both imports and exports, i.e. the custom’s clerk prepares what is referred to as a C63 form and on this form the following information is recorded; name of importer/exporter, reference number, description of the products, type of transport (air, sea, land.), quantity, value, country of origin, final destination, type of insurance, etc. The overall value (cost) of each product is determined by what is called the custom’s procedure code, which dictates what tariffs or duties the individual or organisation would have to pay. For example, government’s imports and exports are always tariff-free, while most other organisation would have to pay some form of duty. However, there are special cases where government may be looking to develop or even expand a particular sector (for example manufacturing/forestry) and, special tax concessions may be given to support that initiative.

At the end of each day, information recorded on each C63 form is fed into the Customs Central Computer System and the grand total for each month is subsequently submitted to the trade arm of the Government Statistical Department. The Statistical Unit evaluates these data on an annual basis and results are forwarded to government who would ultimately decide on the course of action based on information received. For example, government may want to use these statistics to ascertain whether exports in wooden-products have increased, and to what magnitude. These two agencies (Customs and Statistical Services) work in collaboration with the BIDC, whose mandate is to promote Barbadian exports abroad and encourage industrial development. The BIDC is also responsible for the certification and validation of trade agreements to which Barbados is a signatory, for example, CARICOM states. Apart from the three agencies mentioned above, none of the other local organisations (both governmental and non-governmental) are involved in activities relating to wood and wooden products.

Most of the important wood and wooden-products being produced, consumed and traded include multi-density fibres, (MDS) pine, mahogany, and a diversity of other hard woods. In relation to hard woods, recently most of these were being imported from Guyana to be used for the production of solid-wood furniture and these includes tables, chairs, cabinets, etc. Most of the solid-wood products are sold on the local market although quite recently exports to Caribbean countries have been on the increase. The craft industry is currently expanding, however, this sector only consumes a very small quantity of the local and foreign woods that are utilised mainly for ornaments, small souvenirs, key rings, etc.

Although the exact quantities are not known, a considerable amount of wood is being utilised by the construction sector mainly to build wooden homes and or, establishing scaffolds around wall buildings that are either being constructed or repaired. Local mahogany and some other imported hard woods are also being used by the local fishing industry for construction and repairing of boats. It was mentioned earlier that Barbadians in general do not utilise wood as a source of fuel, however, small quantities of charcoal and chip wood are imported mainly for barbecues, fish fries and other outdoor recreational activities. Finally, it should also be mentioned that the local population consumes a relatively large quantity of paper annually for domestic, educational and commercial purposes.

Of the fifty-three enterprises currently operating in Barbados, in the Barbadian context, only six of these are being regarded as large companies as they employ over one hundred persons. Those being regarded as medium size businesses employ over fifty persons but less than eighty and they are approximately twenty. The remaining twenty seven are often referred to as small enterprises as their staff members are usually less than twenty-five. As expected, most companies were reluctant to give information on production figures since this information tends to shed light (disclose) on their financial status, which is something that most businesses try to avoid. It is also very important to note that due to high labour cost in Barbados, it is sometimes cheaper to purchase foreign products. Besides, as globalisation takes place, local enterprises are unwilling to take the risk of expanding their capacity although financial support may be available.