EU tropical lumber imports from Africa further fall

Source:
IHB/Eurostat
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The latest trade statistics published by Eurostat show a significant decline in EU tropical softwood lumber imports from Africa for the first five months of the year. With a decrease of EUR 22 million, imports from the African countries were about -18% less than in the same period of last year. Total goods imported (under HS 44072) were worth approximately EUR 122 million. 

The reductions affect almost all origin countries. Imports from Cameroon, EU's major African trade partner, declined by -23%, still the country managed to increase its market share on the European market to 56% (2013: 53%). Imports from Gabon and the Ivory Coast also decreased by -15% and -4% respectively. Only imports from Congo and the Central African Republic managed to rise, although purchases from the two countries are low and thus play no significant role.

Overall, EU's worldwide tropical lumber imports went down in the first five months of 2014 by -18% (to EUR 224,4 million). Despite the declining trend which started in 2013, Africa still plays an important role on the Europen market: with a stable market share of 45% of all EU purchases, Africa is still by far the most important continent of origin for the European tropical lumber imports.

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