Why is synthetic teak so expensive?

[BrianH]

I wonder where Bavaria source their teak, by all accounts it seems to last up ok so does that mean its not the plantation stuff? If its slow grown surely they would have to be able to prove its not from illegal sources.

All suppliers "can prove it's not from illegal sources" but the proof is questionable ... either outright faked or the result of corruption at the export handler or logging source.

Another example: Myanmar (Burma) is the only country producing teak from natural forests and was supplying logs to international markets. Only these older, mature trees supply the best teak with sufficient heartwood, the dense oil-rich part, and which have had the weight of a large tree to compress the cellular growth rings as they form. The EU had implemented a ban on all Myanmar products from 2007 but teak was entering Europe legally via India and China - although originally sourced in Myanmar.

Since April 2014 Myanmar has itself introduced a total ban on the export of round logs, hoping to stimulate a cut wood industry, which has yet to properly materialise. So the marine industry must further turn to plantation teak, the largest exporter being Indonesia, harvested at not much more than 20 years and providing a poor quality teak suitable only for garden furniture.

 

[pvb]

Tried doing that but the Bavaria website just refers you to a dealer. I raised it with Clipper who say that the price list is a straight translation from German with their locally fitted options added at the end.

Well, they would say that, wouldn't they?

I have a PDF of Bavaria's 2014 Cruiser 33 price list, which I'll happily send you if you PM me with your email address.

 

[Tranona]

Well, they would say that, wouldn't they?

I have a PDF of Bavaria's 2014 Cruiser 33 price list, which I'll happily send you if you PM me with your email address.

pm sent many thanks.