The demand for rainforest wood is being fueled by consumers, who either desire particular woods, like mahogany and teak and more recently, ipê, or who are ignorant as to which woods are from rainforests or to the impact that the purchase of rainforest woods has on these dwindling forests.

But as well, the companies that that export, import, distribute, wholesale and retail these woods are even more responsible for generating this demand. While certain segments of the consumer market are aware of the desirability of certain woods and will seek them out, for the most part, consumers could care less whether their indoor furniture is mahogany veneered or maple, with a mahogany stain; or whether their outdoor furniture is nyatoh or white cedar.

The promotion of certain woods falls on the companies, who aggressively market the “benefits” of certain woods for the products they’ve decided to sell. Literature from importers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers shows the tactics they use to promote the use of their products.

It also shows in many cases that they are well aware of the issues of rainforest destruction and are either generating false or misleading information, or being fed a bill of goods that they blindly accept as truth, without contacting any groups that might have access to less-biased information.

Following are companies that export, import, dry, distribute, wholesale and/or retail tropical or temperate rainforest woods.

It’s imperative that we not buy rainforest wood products but also that we not support the companies that trade in them.

Perhaps even more important is that we send a message to these companies to let them know of our concern and displeasure with their participation in the destruction of Earth’s wildest places.

The By Company section is organized first alphabetically by product.