Auction sales of domestic logs have now ended for the current season in the Jabalpur, Hoshangabad and Betul forest division depots. Log auctions will resume after the Diwali holidays towards the end of October. There was active buying during the final sales and prices were firm.

July exports reach a record high
Figures released by the Ministry of Commerce show that exports in July were a record high of US$29.3 billion, an increase of over 80% on the level in the same month in 2010.

July imports also increased sharply rising to US$40 billion, up by 51% against the figures for July last year. India's total merchandise exports for the period April-July stood at US$108.3 billion, registering a growth of 54%. Similarly, cumulative imports reached US$151 billion, up by 40% compared to the same period last year. Exports to African countries have increased, almost doubling compared to levels 12 months ago.

Pace of inflation slowing consumption and investment
Economists have lowered their growth projections for the Indian economy and at the same time raised inflation forecasts. Around two months ago annual growth was being projected at over 8% but the latest analysis suggests an annual growth of around 7.5-7.8%.

In the first quarter the Indian economy grew 7.6% from a year ago, the slowest pace in five quarters. One reason quoted for the decline is rising interest rates which have affected consumer spending and company investment. Inflation in India is still at around 9 percent despite the action by the Bank of India which has raised interest rates ten times since March 2010.

House price correction expected in Mumbai and Delhi
Analysts are of the opinion that house prices in India are set to decline by as much as 15% as there is an apparent oversupply at present. This is putting pressure on house builders to quickly dispose of their housing stocks because interest rates continue to climb creating a huge debt in the house building sector. The forecasts are for a correction to begin in the Mumbai and the Delhi areas.

CNF Plantation Teak

	US$ per m3
Tanzania Teak sawn	450-800
Côte d'Ivoire logs	450-850
PNG logs	500-700
El-salvador logs	400-550
Guatemala logs	400-500
Nigeria squares	300-475
Ghana logs	350-650
Guyana logs	300-450
Benin logs	425-650
Benin sawn	475-600
Brazil squares	400-600
Burkina Faso logs	350-450
Columbia logs	400-600
Togo logs	350-500
Ecuador logs	350-700
Costa Rica logs	350-600
Panama logs	350-450
Sudan logs	350-800

Variations exist based on lengths and average girths of logs in a parcel. Prices also vary with measurement allowances given for bark and sap in different countries of origin.

Demand from Europe, USA and Middle East for teak and other hardwoods remains steady.

India Sawnwood Prices (domestic)

Sawnwood (Ex-mill)	Rs. per ft3
Myanmar Teak (AD)
Export Grade F.E.Q.	4000-9500
Plantation Teak A grade	3000-3800
Plantation Teak B grade	2500-2800
Plantation Teak C grade	1800-2000

India Sawnwood Prices (imports)

Sawnwood, (Ex-mill) (AD)	Rs. per ft3
Merbau	1200-1450 ⇓
Balau	1200-1550 ⇓
Kapur	850-1000 ⇓
Red Meranti	650-925 ⇓
Radiata Pine (AD)	425-475
Sawnwood, (Ex-warehouse) (KD)	Rs per ft3
Beechwood	900-1200 ⇓
Sycamore	900-1200 ⇓
Oakwood	1100-1500 ⇓
American Walnut	1800-2150 ⇓
Hemlock clear grade	800-1000 ⇓
Hemlock AB grade	650-850 ⇓
Western Red Cedar	1000-1350 ⇓
Douglas fir	800-1000 ⇓

Domestic demand for plywood is firm.

India Plywood Prices

Plywood, (Ex-warehouse)	Rs per ft²
4 mm	36.25
6 mm	51.00
12 mm	66.50
15 mm	79.60
18 mm	95.00

Locally Manufactured Plywood “Commercial Grade”	Rs per sq.ft
	Rubberwood	Hardwood
4mm	Rs.13.00	Rs.22.50
6mm	Rs.19.00	Rs.32.60
8mm	Rs.24.50	Rs.36.40
12mm	Rs.29.50	Rs.39.00
19mm	RS.40.00	Rs.52.50
5mm Flexible ply	Rs.22.50	Rs.29.00

Monsoon season celebrated with tree planting
As is customary in India, August is the month for celebrating the arrival of the monsoon rains by planting as many new saplings as possible, in India this is termed Vana-mahotsava (Festival of forest plantings).

Forest departments, non government agencies, panchayats (local city councils), schools, road building and maintenance departments all undertake planting to enhance the greening of their localities.

Millions of trees are planted through public support in the cities and moffusil (rural districts) areas. Tree saplings are provided by all state forest department nurseries generally free of charge.

Species provided by the Forestry Department include Teak, Gamhar (Gmelina arborea) all species of Terminalia, Rosewood ( Dalbergia latifolia and D.sissoo ) and some bamboo species.

The Irrigation Department plants saplings of Dalbergia sissoo, various species of Acacia and Neem (Melia azadirechta) to stabilize canal banks.

Village authorities encourage the planting of fruit species such as Mango, Eugenia, Mimusops, Tamarind and Neem as well as flowering species such as Cassias, Albizias, Lagerstroemia and Poinciana.