Central/West Africa: Timber market remains steady

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The market situation for West and Central African logs and sawnwood remains steady through to the end of November. Prices and traded volumes remained stable, maintaining gains made in the previous month. Producers in the region are confident that current orders and forward contracts will be sufficient to carry them through into 2011.

The news that a number of factors are causing supply problems for Malaysian logging and processing companies is likely to increase demand for West and Central African timber products. India and China are forecasting high growth rates in their domestic demand for wood and timber products and currently African producers have the potential to increase supplies, says an analyst.

Producers seek relaxation of log export ban in Gabon
Producers in Gabon have been active in lobbying the government to allow for some log exports against set percentages of in-country processing volumes. This would bring some assurance of supply, particularly of okoume logs to plywood manufacturers in importing countries, who are dependent on this popular peeler species.
If there is to be any relaxation of the log export ban, exports are likely to be undertaken through the Gabon State Timber Export Inspection Agency (SNBG).

Uncertainty clouds some European economies and sawnwood markets
Sawnwood prices have remained unchanged, maintaining the gains made in the past two to three months. According to an analyst, producers have noted the existing risk of overstocking and eventual decline in prices at current production levels as the economic recovery in Europe is still slow. According to an analyst, the recent fiscal crisis in Ireland may well inhibit demand for iroko sawnwood which is preferred by Irish importers.

The economies of Spain and Portugal are also under pressure and there is no foreseen improvement in the construction and other timber using industries in the short to medium term. Although these countries are mainly importing round logs, the situation in these countries has a significant bearing on the overall European timber market and trade.

Central/West Africa
West Africa logs, FOB € per m³
Asian market
LM
B
BC/C
Acajou/ Khaya/N'Gollon
205
205
153 
Ayous/Obéché/Wawa
200
200
145
Azobe & Ekki
205
205
122
Belli
210
210
-
Bibolo/Dibétou
145
130

Bubinga
670
570
430
Iroko
260
245
190
Okoume (60% CI, 40% CE, 20% CS)
230
-
-
Moabi
280
275
190
Movingui
180
150
140
Niove
145
145
-
Okan
320
320
-
Padouk
375
340
235
Sapele
245
245
170
Sipo/Utile
270
250
200
Tali
275
275
114 


West Africa sawnwood, FOB
€ per m³
Abura
KD
560
Ayous FAS GMS
300
Okoumé FAS GMS
360
FAS. fixed sizes
340
Std/Btr GMS
295
Sipo FAS GMS
470
FAS fixed sizes 320
FAS scantlings
490
Padouk FAS GMS
570
FAS scantlings
585
Strips
360
Sapele FAS Spanish sizes
390
FAS scantlings
460
Iroko FAS GMS
550
Scantlings
560
Strips
360
Khaya FAS GMS
400
FAS fixed
390
Maobi FAS GMS
495
Scantlings
440
Movingui FAS GMS
350
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