The market situation remains unchanged for West and Central African logs as winter arrives earlier in Europe, hampering construction activity. Adverse weather conditions are expected to impact on the economic situation in UK. Portugal and Spain continue to face severe financial difficulties and prospects for the timber based industries in these countries remain dull.

Nevertheless, China and India continue active buying of West and Central African logs. Overall, log traders and exporters have had a relatively good year; with steady market situation and level of prices due to the Gabon log export ban and the log export relaxation by Cameroon and Congo Brazzaville.

Better markets for some processed products
Sawnwood prices, especially for premier species, have made gains through the year, and remained stable in the past month. Currently, sawnwood producers are worried that any over-production could affect prices. According to analysts, producers in the region have to accelerate efforts in achieving full certification for their products, in order to keep market shares in Europe and benefit from the recent greater interest in premier red species of sawnwood from the US market.

Markets for veneer have reportedly improved, but the trade in other value-added products has yet to show any sign of full recovery to pre-recession volumes and diversification. West and Central African manufacturers are slowly re-activating processing facilities, but as the current market is still dull, any increase in production is expected to have an adverse impact on price levels. In addition, as the winter season is slowing down business in Europe, there is little incentive for West and Central African producers to increase production.

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