TWK Agri was initially established by timber farmers. The aim was to assist in the marketing of their timber products, mainly Wattle bark and timber. This has subsequently expanded to also include other species of timber, mainly Eucalyptus and Pine logs as well as a variety of other timber products, not only for TWK’s farmers but for the South African timber industry as a whole.
TWK WOODCHIP MILL
TWK owns and operates a world-class woodchip production and export facility in Richards Bay, South Africa, with the capability of producing and exporting 900 000 tons of woodchips per annum.
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We have been successfully producing and exporting high-quality woodchips for more than 30 years. Our customer base includes some of the largest pulp and paper producers in Japan, China and India.
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We produce two woodchip products ideally suited to the production of pulp and paper products:
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Acacia mearnsii woodchips
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Mixed eucalyptus woodchips
TWK RESEARCH
TWK is actively involved in different aspects of research to create sustainable forestry not only for ourselves but also for the different suppliers of wood fibre and products.
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This is achieved through:
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Investing in genetically improved material and research in silviculture, harvesting and risk mitigation. With the help of the FABI, where it is represented, TWK is actively involved in research by monitoring forestry diseases and pests. TWK supports research into forestry, undertaken by the ICFR. TWK is also represented on the board of the ICFR.
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Information service
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Field days
TIMBER MARKETING
We obtain and supply sustainable quality processed and unprocessed timber products to local and international markets and also market timber products on behalf of our suppliers.
We continually cultivate and develop new and existing markets and/or niche markets for the suppliers of our processed and unprocessed timber products.
Our experts give advice and/or manage harvesting operations, as well as manage a complete range of forest activities.
PLANTATION MANAGEMENT
TWK Agri manages plantations on behalf of property owners nationally and in Africa. It strictly follows successful and sustainable forestry practices to ensure sustainability and responsibility for future generations.
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TWK Agri mentors previously disadvantaged timber growers who are beneficiaries of land reform and land redistribution in South Africa.
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TWK Agri is a founding member and current member of the Mkondo Fire Protection Association (MFPA) and a founding member and current member of the Mpumalanga Forestry Wildfire Committee (MFWC)
LIVESTOCK
TWK Agri promotes the agro forestry principle, which leads to an improved income on forestry land. Beef and goat farming on forestry land is one of the farming activities introduced on plantations.
TRADE
TRADE
TRADE
TRADE
AFFILIATES
Shiselweni Forestry Company Ltd – Company Reg. No 99 of 196
Shiselweni Forestry Company (SFC) is a forestry company in Swaziland with wattle, eucalyptus and pine plantations. SFC is a founding member and a current member of the Swaziland Fire Protection Association.
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SAWCO Mining Timber Company (Pty) Ltd – Company Reg. No 353 of 1984
SAWCO Mining Timber consists of two multipurpose sawmills in Swaziland. The sawmills manufacture eucalyptus and pine products for the South African and international markets.
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STTP SAWCO Treated Timber Products
SAWCO Treated Timber Products has a treated timber plant in Swaziland.
TREE CULTIVATION
Timber Market Information
Timber Market Update
July 2020
Timber Market Update
February 2021
Timber Market Update
April 2021
TIMBER MARKET UPDATE
JUNE 2022
RSA WOODCHIP EXPORTS
Japan still remains the largest importer of our woodchips with increasing exports to China and recently to Spain and Portugal.
HW chip demand is projected to increase by at least another 2 million BDT for this year (mainly China).
This is substantiated by China and Japan YTD imports which is already 6% > than same period last year.
Vietnam remains the largest exporter of woodchips to China and Japan's accounting for 54% of their demand, followed by Australia with South Africa currently supplying 6% of the demand.
Vietnam exports have reached a plateau and are not likely to increase.
China pulp capacity expansion projects 2021-2024: 6.8 million bdt chips required.
Vietnam chip price increased by 22% from Jan 2021 to Mar 2022 with a 16 % increase YTD Apr. FOB prices for June now in the $170-180 range equating to a 35% increase since the beginning of the year.
HW Pulp price to China and Europe has increased by 85% from beginning of 2021.
The market is rapidly changing.
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Russia/Ukraine conflict: Major impact on global trade of forest products, particularly in Europe, Scandinavia and Asia.
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Woodfibre deficit developing in Europe before conflict.
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Impact of spruce bark beetle.
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Big focus on renewable energy including wood biomass
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China pulp capacity expansions 2021-2024.
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Vietnam's woodchip export has reached a peak and is unlikely to increase significantly to meet increasing demand as in the past.
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Indonesia has to start woodchip imports.
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No new major sources of wood supply.
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South Africa is well placed to serve both the Asian, European and Scandinavian markets.
