Does Differentiation by Certified Raw Wood Change the Average Price at the Tama Roundwood Market Center in Tokyo, Japan?

Shohei Kameyama,Katsuaki Sugiura

doi:10.3390/f12030264

Abstract

It is important to understand price premiums related to certified raw wood to predict the future of forest certifications from the perspective of forestry enterprises. We focused on identifying the trading roundwood market data in the economic center of power in Tokyo. This study aimed to clarify Tama-certified raw wood prices under the local area certification scheme, forest-certified raw wood prices, and the handling volumes at the Tama Roundwood Market Center in Tokyo. Sales details of the Tama Roundwood Market Center were used to identify the handling volumes, Tama-certified raw wood prices, and FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) or SGEC (Japan-specific Sustainable Green Ecosystem Council)-certified raw wood prices. The FSC and SGEC have operated from the center since 2016. Data were collected from the 2006–2018 fiscal years. Our results showed that the volume of raw wood handled increased due to the regeneration-cutting project conducted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. On the other hand, there was no price premium for Tama-certified raw wood under the local certification scheme or for FSC- or SGEC-certified raw wood. Price premiums for forest certifications are necessary for ongoing sustainable forest management. There is a need to increase consumer awareness of forest certifications and to differentiate quality certifications further, and these would likely create price premiums.

Highlights

A Forest Certification Scheme is a mechanism for certifying sustainable forest management
Price premiums for forest certifications are necessary for ongoing sustainable forest management
Price premiums for forest certifications are necessary for ongoing sustainable forest management, and there is a need to increase consumer awareness on forest certifications and to differentiate quality certifications further

Summary

Introduction

A Forest Certification Scheme is a mechanism for certifying sustainable forest management. Global certification schemes include the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC). The FSC, founded in [1], has developed a global certification process to support and verify environmentally, socially, and economically beneficial forest management practices. In 2003, the name was changed to Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification due to a process of internationalization with the addition of non-European countries such as Australia and Chile [2]. The PEFC is expanding its role as an international certification organization that recognizes the certification systems of countries around the world, including countries in the Asian region [2]

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