Page - July 22, 2004
Brazilian ("Bigleaf") mahogany is a tropical hardwood that takes 60 years to mature and can reach a height of 500 feet. Often referred to as "green gold," one mahogany tree can net up to $130,000 in furniture.
In 2002, the United States supported the listing of bigleaf mahogany in Appendix II of the CITES convention. This means that it can be traded commercially, but exporting countries are required to issue permits and ensure that specimens are legally acquired. Importing countries are required to ensure that all shipments are accompanied with the proper documentation.
Assistant Secretary of State John Turner, a leader of the U.S. delegation at the 2002 CITES convention, stated, "We will work with all the mahogany range states to ensure that shipments are both legal and sustainably harvested."
The U.S. is the world's largest importer of mahogany, but there is no reliable, legal chain of custody that exists for mahogany in Brazil, the largest exporter of mahogany.