Central/West Africa: Weak demand driven even lower by beginning of holiday season

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ITTO's Tropical Timber Market Report
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Log and lumber prices remain stable, with a very few small adjustments in the period up to the end of June. The European vacation ‘season’ has arrived and this has resulted in the usual downturn in demand. Looking ahead, exporters are not optimistic for any recovery in demand in the third quarter of this year.

While European business is still very slow producers report stronger demand from buyers for the Chinese and Middle East markets.

Business with India is slow especially for padouk as stock levels in India are reportedly high. Demand from buyers in Belgium, usually a steady market, has weakened and some prices have softened.

The continuing weak demand in European markets is of serious concern to W. African exporters. It is very clear that activity in the building and construction sectors in EU member states, the main driver of timber consumption in the EU, will not improve in the short to medium term.

Exports from CAR resume

W. African exporters are seeing increased competition in sawnwood markets as Malaysian meranti exports are being pushed very hard at present and this is putting a downward pressure on prices for sapele.

However, sapele is in high demand in China at present and is also being sought after by buyers in Europe.

Exports from the Central African Republic (CAR) shipped through Douala port have resumed so the availability of sapele has improved. However, this comes just at the time other West African exporters have been cutting back on production of sapele to avoid oversupply. The CAR is also supplying sawn sipo, and doussie in small volumes.

Plymills struggle to secure face quality peeler logs

African plywood manufacturers are still finding it difficult to source good quality okoume logs for face veneer production.

The shortage of logs of a quality for face veneer production is also affecting North African plywood manufacturers who rely on imported logs. These manufacturers now have to accept lower grade logs to keep mills running.

The shortage of high quality okoume peeler logs seems likely to continue. Plywood manufacturers are trying to use more readily available alternative species for face veneer but are finding production costs are higher making it difficult for them to compete with Chinese, Indonesian and Malaysian plywood in major markets.

Log Export Prices

West Africa logs, FOB € per m³
Asian market
LM
B
BC/C
Acajou/ Khaya/N'Gollon
220
215
-
Ayous/Obéché/Wawa
220
210
150
Azobe & Ekki
220
220
145
Belli
225
225
-
Bibolo/Dibétou
145
130
 
Iroko
265
220
220
Okoume (60% CI, 40% CE, 20% CS) (China only)
245
225
200
Moabi
290
280
-
Movingui
185
165
150
Niove
165
165
-
Okan
280
275
-
Padouk
330
310
230
Sapele
270
255
175
Sipo/Utile
320
290
175
Tali
280
280
-

                                                                                                                                   Sawnwood Export Prices

West Africa sawnwood, FOB
€ per m³
Ayous FAS GMS
330
Bilinga FAS GMS 520
Okoumé FAS GMS
480
FAS. fixed sizes
290
Std/Btr GMS
340
Sipo FAS GMS
550
FAS fixed sizes -
FAS scantlings 520
Padouk FAS GMS
850
FAS scantlings -
Strips -
Sapele FAS Spanish sizes
480
FAS scantlings
510
Iroko FAS GMS 600
Scantlings
600
Strips
435
Khaya FAS GMS
430
FAS fixed
465
Maobi FAS GMS
550
Scantlings
550
Movingui FAS GMS
400
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