Analyzing the Eucalyptus Timber Value Chain in Thailand: Profit Distribution and Opportunities for Improvement

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

This article provides a theoretical and referential analysis of the eucalyptus timber value chain. However, there are areas that can be improved and expanded upon. For instance:

1.The title of the article is too general and may need to be revised to clarify the research theme.

2.In the introduction section, there is no detailed introduction to the eucalyptus production value in Thailand, which can be added to highlight the importance of the eucalyptus industry more intuitively.

3.In Section 2.1, "Description of the Study Areas," Figure 1 is unclear, making it difficult to discern specific orientations and requiring replacement. Furthermore, it might be more fitting to introduce specific aspects of eucalyptus production value and industry chains in different regions to better align with the article's theme.

4.In Section 3.1, there are omissions in the upper portion of Figure 2, requiring replacement and modification.

5.Despite the author's in-depth analysis of eucalyptus planting by Thai farmers, as indicated in the article, nearly 64% of the planting area was managed by small-scale farmers in 2005. Given the low prices of raw materials in the eucalyptus industry and the limited profitability, it might be valuable to dynamically discuss the role of small farmers in the eucalyptus industry chain and the changes in eucalyptus income, enhancing the comprehensiveness of the article.

Author Response

Dear: Reviewer #1

          Please see the attachment.

          Best Regards,

          Kitipong Tangkit

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Dear authors,

Thank you so much for ding an invaluable research about analysis of value chains for Eucalyptus timber in Thailand.

The whole research is well structured but there is some misunderstanding by me and I have some comments and suggestion for make an improvement.

Suggestions and comments:

1-      Abstract is not well structured and there is nothing about methods.

2-      Another important issue is writing abstract is its English. Please check and revise it carefully for its English.

3-      The sentences in the abstract is not is a right place. Explanations about the research statement is after results.

4-      Is these conclusions are obtained from your research: Our study determines that decision makers should create supportive …

5-      The increasing rate of Eucalyptus plantation in Thailand is about ten times while it is in the world is two times.

6-      Scientific names should be italic in the whole text.    

7-      It is better to mention different researches in the literature review while you mentioned more than three tome Tham et al.

8-      Please check citation style in the whole text. Line 108.

9-      Figure 1 has not a high quality. Please provide a figure with high quality.

10-   In the methods, for estimating TGMM, GMMP, please provide a reference.

11-   This is not a necessary sentence. Please revise the first paragraph. This section may be divided by subheadings.

12-   Edit the title of subsections in the results.

13-   Item 2 in the recommendation is better to check. It is very vague.

14-   Please provide like related to the supplementary materials.

 

 

 

Comments on the Quality of English Language

Please check its English. 

Author Response

Dear: Reviewer #2

          Please see the attachment.

          Best Regards,

          Kitipong Tangkit

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Thank you for providing interesting paper with focus on forestry added value chain.

In introduction part regarding to the line 37 it is presented that "over 30 years, plantation area has increased from 94,000 37 ha in 1987 to 846,708 ha in 2023. It would be good to present table with production trend last 10 years or wood export for main commodities like construction, pulpwood, fiber and particle boards, wood chips and pellets.

Regarding the research questions (line 124) it would be good to adress the main research goals.

In subchapter 2.1. please explain the share of state and private forests. Is there existing the forest certification scheme.

Regarding to the sample creation please explain why only one biomass energy processing company was analysed.

In subchapter 2.3. please explain have you used statistical or data processing software for value chain analyses.

in line 211 Net marketing margin (NMM) was calculated only with marketing costs, please explain why other variable costs are not taken in account. 

In line 246 subchapter 3.2. among the multiple actors in which position are the forest exploitation comapnies, who owns and work with forest roads construction and forwarders.

In line 474 please present the main certifications implemented on country level (FSC or something elese).

Regarding to the policy framework line 493, please explain the main policy actors (ministries or government bodies), and existed policy strategy, sustainable development goals or forest management plans.

In table 2, line 536, please explain what are the main value addition costs.

According to the Incotherms regulation where is the sale price of the goods calculated (FOB?).

In line 576 please refer why pulp industry seed and sapling breeders important (in % or money value).

In line 588 insert reference after country for better folowing the explanation (the same with references in line 595).

In subchapter 4.2. line 614 what is the average profitability in eucalyptus timber industry in % accoring to the economic calculation or estimation.

Regarding to the opportunities in subchapter 4.3., please prpose or suggest some solutions or improvements like higher added value products for the existing marketing mix.

 

Possible additional references:

Midgley, S. J., Stevens, P. R., & Arnold, R. J. (2017). Hidden assets: Asia’s smallholder wood resources and their contribution to supply chains of commercial wood. Australian Forestry, 80(1), 10–25. https://doi.org/10.1080/00049158.2017.1280750

Christie, S. (2008). Energy, chemicals and carbon: future options for the Eucalyptus value chain. Southern Forests: A Journal of Forest Science, 70(2), 175–182. https://doi.org/10.2989/SOUTH.FOR.2008.70.2.13.541

Palmieri, N.; Suardi, A.; Latterini, F.; Pari, L. The Eucalyptus Firewood: Understanding Consumers’ Behaviour and Motivations. Agriculture 2020, 10, 512. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture10110512

Masiero, M.; Pettenella, D.; Cerutti, P.O. Legality Constraints: The Emergence of a Dual Market for Tropical Timber Products? Forests 2015, 6, 3452-3482. https://doi.org/10.3390/f6103452

Comments on the Quality of English Language

some minor corrections

Author Response

Dear: Reviewer #3

          Please see the attachment.

          Best Regards,

          Kitipong Tangkit

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 4 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

This is a well-written manuscript about forest value chain. 

First of all, a strong abstract is essential to ensure your paper has the largest impact and readership possible, and should include background and research question(s) in a general to specific structure, purpose, methodology, results and implications.  Please do not just enter to the paragraph by saying "This study conducts...". 

The referencing numbers should be sequential. Do not use  [8,10,17,32,34] citation, instead, it must be like  [1,2,3] in the whole text. Please follow a sequential order in citations. 

The first paragraphs of the introduction is okey. However, the remainin parts of the introduction remains weak. A proper introduction must have background,-motivation-gap-purpose-why this methology is selected (advantages)-findings in brief- contributions in brief details. Please add details to prove your work's contribution and novelty. This is a nice chance to improve your introduction part with these details.

Please do not forget that the introduction is the pleace where you are conducting a research that is a real need for the literature. 

Methodology and application parts are okey. 

ALthough you gave the limitations and further research ideas a separate section, please insert summary of them in the conclusion as well. 

A proper conclusion must have background, purpose and methodology in brief, findings in detail, managerial and practical implications, theoretical contributions, originality of the research, limitations and further research ideas. 

 

 

 

 

Author Response

Dear: Reviewer #4

          Please see the attachment.

          Best Regards,

          Kitipong Tangkit

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Dear Authors, 

Thank you so much for doing all requested corrections on the manuscript. 

Please before finalizing, check it`s English again. 

 

Comments on the Quality of English Language

Please before finalizing, check it`s English again.