Central/West Africa: Cameroon Suspends export of Wenge and Bubinga

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A notification has appeared in the Cameroon official journal (Decision 0354 MINAFOR/CA 20th Apr 2011) indicating that the export of Wenge and Bubinga will be suspended. Companies have been given one month from the date of the official decision to conclude export contracts.

This suspension is valid until December 31, 2011, during which time ANAFOR will conduct a study that will lead to the determination of quotas for export of these species.

Gabon export ban includes boules
The Gabon export ban continues and the authorities have made it clear that the ban includes logs, as well as boules and through cut logs with trimmed heart and edges. Producers seem to have accepted the log export ban and have started to bring sawmills and other downstream facilities back into full production.

Cameroon re-imposes a log export quota system
Cameroon has re-imposed a log export quota system and analysts believe that Congo Brazzaville will also adopt similar measures. Logs continue to be shipped from Democratic Republic of Congo, other than that there are no new developments in the log supply situation.

Changed trade pattern for sawnwood
The situation in Côte d’Ivoire continues to hamper all business operations and trade in the country. Coupled with the EU sanctions and the boycott imposed by some EU timber importers, it is certain that timber exports from Cote d'Ivoire will be choked off for the time being, says an analyst.

Buyers of Cote d'Ivoire sawnwood have already turned to sources in Gabon, Cameroon and Ghana. For example, Italian buyers who used to purchase wawa from Cote d'Ivoire, are now making enquiries in Ghana. However, it is more difficult to find alternative sources of iroko so prices of iroko continue to move up.

Plywood and veneer market on the mend
Worldwide demand for plywood and veneer improved in the first quarter of 2011 pushing prices up. Plywood and veneer production in West and Central Africa is only small scale, however, manufacturers in the region are confident that strong demand from Asian countries will continue into the second quarter and further price increases are likely.

Central/West Africa
West Africa logs, FOB € per m³
Asian market
LM
B
BC/C
Acajou/ Khaya/N'Gollon
205
205
165
Ayous/Obéché/Wawa
195
190
145
Azobe & Ekki
205
205
122
Belli
210
210
-
Bibolo/Dibétou
145
130

Bubinga
770
615
470
Iroko
285
280
215
Okoume (60% CI, 40% CE, 20% CS)
250
-
-
Moabi
280
280
190
Movingui
185
150
140
Niove
150
150
-
Okan
320
320
-
Padouk
380
345
235
Sapele
245
235
170
Sipo/Utile
275
250
190
Tali
275
275
-


West Africa sawnwood, FOB
€ per m³
Abura
KD
560
Ayous FAS GMS
300
Bilinga
FAS GMS
445
Okoumé FAS GMS
390
FAS. fixed sizes
320
Std/Btr GMS
300
Sipo FAS GMS
410
FAS fixed sizes -
FAS scantlings
495
Padouk FAS GMS
615
FAS scantlings
655
Strips
340
Sapele FAS Spanish sizes
370
FAS scantlings
435
Iroko FAS GMS
630
Scantlings
605
Strips
400
Khaya FAS GMS
415
FAS fixed
420
Maobi FAS GMS
505
Scantlings
445
Movingui FAS GMS
365
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