This document summarizes pine chemicals production in South America. Crude gum production differs from other regions due to most pines growing in natural forests rather than plantations and being tapped by individual farmers rather than companies. Crude gum is produced across South America in tropical and subtropical pine species, with Brazil and Argentina being the largest producers, collectively generating over 100,000 metric tons annually. Crude gum is extracted through regular cuts in the pine bark applied with a chemical stimulant. Efforts to improve tapping techniques include selecting higher-yielding pine varieties, wider spacing for tree growth, micro-tapping, and developing new non-acidic stimulants. The future of tapping in the region may involve larger forest owners, shorter
2. SOUTHÂ AMERICA
Pine Chemicals Update
1. Why crude gum production is different in South America.
2. Where crude gum is produced.
3. How crude gum is produced.
4. How much crude gum is produced.
5. What we are doing to improve the âtapping techniqueâ.
6. ... and what about the future of âpine tappingâ in South America.
3. 1.  Why crude gum production is different in South America.
TROPICÂ OF
CANCER
ECUATOR
TROPICÂ OF
CAPRICORN
4. 1.  Why crude gum production is different in South America.
NATURAL FOREST vs. PLANTED FOREST
5. 1.  Why crude gum production is different in South America.
FARMER vs. PINE TAPPING Co.
7. 2.  Where crude gum is produced in South America.
Tropical pines:
P. car. var. caribaea
P. car. var. hondurensis
P. car. var. bahamensis
P. oocarpa
TROPICÂ OF
CAPRICORN
Subtropical pines:
P. elliottii