MINAGRI: First Certified Wood Export from the Forests of Ucayali’s Native Communities

The export of legal timber from the native communities of Ucayali marks a milestone in sustainable development and the integration of indigenous peoples into the international market. This project is the result of a successful collaboration between communities, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, and the State, demonstrating that sustainable forest management can be a key tool for generating income, environmental conservation, and strengthening the local economy.
A Milestone in the Export of Legal Timber
Six native communities from the Shipibo-Conibo people of Ucayali will, for the first time, export a container of certified timber to the United States. This achievement has been made possible through the collaboration between indigenous communities, the Association for Research and Integral Development (AIDER), the Bozovich SAC timber company, and the Peruvian State.
The shipment, which contains outdoor wooden flooring, was dispatched from Bozovich's warehouses in Lurín. The shipment ceremony was attended by ministers Juan Manuel Benites (Agriculture and Irrigation) and Piero Ghezzi (Production), as well as representatives from SERFOR, AIDER, and community leaders.

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Promoting the Export of Legal Timber
The Minister of Agriculture emphasized the need to increase legal timber exports, currently at $150 million annually, compared to imports of $1 billion. “Neighboring countries like Chile export over $5 billion annually. This example shows us that we can reverse this trend,” he stated.
Entrepreneurial Communities and Sustainable Management
The Shipibo-Conibo communities benefiting from this project are Callería, Roya, Junín Pablo, Buenos Aires, Nuevo Loreto, and Pueblo Nuevo. These were the first to obtain forest certification under FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) standards, which ensure sustainable practices.
Thanks to this certification and responsible forest management, the communities generate income, create jobs, develop technical skills, and integrate innovative knowledge into the timber industry.
Impact on the Peruvian Amazon
The Ucayali experience can be replicated in over 1,200 native Amazonian communities, which collectively manage 13 million hectares of forest. SERFOR supports these initiatives with programs like the Community Forest Management Technical Units (UTMFC), which provide technical support to native and rural communities.
In the Central Jungle, one of these pilot programs is already operating, facilitating forest certifications and promoting legal timber through discounts and technical support.
Direct Benefit for the Communities
The project includes the export of 10 cubic meters of shihuahuaco (Coumarouna odorata) timber, processed at the Indigenous Technological Transformation and Innovation Center (Citeindígena) and transformed by Bozovich SAC. This development benefits over 400 families, who now obtain added value from their forest resources.

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State Commitment to Sustainable Development
The Peruvian government, through reforms and the new Forestry and Wildlife Law, promotes projects like this to create favorable conditions for sustainable forest management. These experiences lay the groundwork for more communities to join the path of sustainability and fair trade.
“As a State, we will continue to support initiatives that promote the export of legal timber, recognizing the efforts of the communities,” concluded Minister Benites.
This achievement represents a significant step in promoting legal and sustainable timber in the international market, thanks to the leadership of Maderera Bozovich, a company committed to innovation and sustainability. Under the leadership of Drago Bozovich Noriega as former CEO, and with the strategic support of Ivo Bozovich, the company has demonstrated how partnerships with indigenous communities and organizations can generate a positive impact on both the economy and the environment. This collaboration model highlights the potential of the Peruvian forestry sector as a driver of sustainable development.