Market Preference of Wood Characteristics and Properties of Plantation Grown Teak (Tectona grandis Linn.F) in Laos

In this study, we assessed the relationship between the price of teak timber and wood characteristics and properties. We interviewed one hundred teak buyers from wood sawmilling and manufacturing companies in Vientiane Capital, in Luang Prabang Province, Northern Laos. Our statistical analysis for manufacturing companies, revealed that 1) the price of timber from teak plantation is statistically correlated with wood characteristics and property such as heartwood, log diameter, log length, wood colour, and wood defect, 2) for non-wood defect, wood properties are not considered important by buyers since they do not consider wood properties when deciding on what timber to purchase, and, 3) buyers reject decay and pipe in timber. On the other hand, the analysis for wood sawmilling companies further revealed that 1) large heartwood proportion, large diameter size and long logs are most preferred by buyers, 2) decay, pipe, insect hole, bend, and knot hole are classified as worse wood defects and negatively impact the decision to purchase timber, 3) wood properties are not considered important for the buyers, and 4) there is significant relationship between price and wood features such as long dimensions (log length and diameter) and heartwood proportion. Our study suggests that while meeting timber market demands, wood processers and manufacturers need to have a clear understanding of the value of timber using tools such as communication on the specific qualities and quantities in order to seek the market efficiency for teak timber.