Teak's (Tectona grandis Lf.) exceptional quality and global demand have positioned it as an important species for planting across 70 tropical countries, with plantations covering 4.4 to 6.9 million ha. The global trade of teak roundwood, averaging 1.02 million cum per year,and the demand is predicted to increase in the coming years.

Despite declining natural supply, plantation grown teak holds promising long-term prospects, although controversies arise from exaggerated investment projections. The absence of common international log grading rules and varying measurement units further complicates matters. However, the quality of teakwood from well-managed planted forests has improved with superior planting material and silvicultural practices.

Forest management certification and legality enforcement are increasingly crucial for plantation grown teak trade, necessitating strict control over legal sourcing and supply chains.

Establishing transparent and traceable timber supply chains can offer teak growers more global market opportunities. In many tropical countries, smallholders and farmers own teak forests, requiring innovative simplified certification systems to alleviate high transaction costs. Additionally, teak plantations play a significant role in carbon sequestration and Forest Landscape Restoration, particulary on degraded lands.

The session will delve into the current international scenario regarding the supply of quality plantation teakwood from sustainable sources.