Asian buyers slowly returning

It has been reported that buyers for the Chinese and other

Asian markets are slowly returning. The current emphasis

is on a few species such as ovangkol, okan and belli. There

is a steady but low demand for okoume, iroko, sapelli

movingui, dabeme and padauk.

Buyers for the Chinese market are looking for okoume,

ovangkol, belli and sapelli, reportedly for the furniture

sector. Producers say, despite the buyer interest, prices are

stable which is seen as a good sign in these tough trading

conditions.

Buyers in the Philippines concentrate on okoume and for

this market there has been some welcome interest. Tali is

the favourite of Vietnam but recently there has been

interest in padauk,belli and dabema.

The South African market has not yet shown signs of

recovery as the pandemic is taking its toll on

manufacturing output in the country. The South African

market for finger jointed okoume has weakened. The

interest of South African importers in door fabrication in

Gabon appears to be still alive and negotiations are

ongoing.

Purchases for the Middle East markets are slow, say

producers and demand is well below pre-pandemic levels.

This market is very price conscious and there are reports

that low priced timbers from Russia are gaining market

share.

There is a good market for okoume and sapelli sawnwood

in Egypt but the payment process for imports into the

country is said to be complicated with all transactions

having to secure Central Bank approval which causes

delays.

Prices edging up for EU market

Europe has started its holiday season which has dampened

demand even further, however, there are reports that some

prices have started to move in the right direction for

timbers such as movingui and acajou, not big sellers at the

best of times. A common comment from producers across

the region is that payments from buyers are now slower

than previously and 60 days is now becoming the norm.

Export volumes down as even as recovery plans

developed

Timber exports from Cameroon have fallen sharply by as

much as 45% and reports indicate some 60% of sawmills

in the country have stopped operations.

The government is preparing a package of support for

industries in the country but support will only be provided

once companies can show their licenses and arrangements

with the government are in order.

The industry is looking forward to the government

assistance so they can begin the process of rehiring

workers.

Even if mills wish to resume operations they will face logs

shortages, especially for timbers that are now in demand

as markets are beginning to revive.

There are reports of a large volume of, mainly secondary,

peeler logs for the Chinese market held up in the port and

they are deteriorating fast.

Timber exports from the Congo have also fallen, the result

of the combined impact of the pandemic and tough

implementation of the export quota system. Control on

exports is very tight in the Port of Pointe Noire. There are

reports of several Chinese mills ceasing operations.

A

Most mills cut okoume for the Chinese and other Asian

markets. There are reports of some timber shippers taking

advantage of deals offered by conventional vessels looking

for return cargos after delivering cement.

It has been reported that buyers for the Chinese and other

Asian markets are slowly returning. The current emphasis

is on a few species such as ovangkol, okan and belli. There

is a steady but low demand for okoume, iroko, sapelli

movingui, dabeme and padauk.

Buyers for the Chinese market are looking for okoume,

ovangkol, belli and sapelli, reportedly for the furniture

sector. Producers say, despite the buyer interest, prices are

stable which is seen as a good sign in these tough trading

conditions.

Buyers in the Philippines concentrate on okoume and for

this market there has been some welcome interest. Tali is

the favourite of Vietnam but recently there has been

interest in padauk,belli and dabema.

The South African market has not yet shown signs of

recovery as the pandemic is taking its toll on

manufacturing output in the country. The South African

market for finger jointed okoume has weakened. The

interest of South African importers in door fabrication in

Gabon appears to be still alive and negotiations are

ongoing.

Purchases for the Middle East markets are slow, say

producers and demand is well below pre-pandemic levels.

This market is very price conscious and there are reports

that low priced timbers from Russia are gaining market

share.

There is a good market for okoume and sapelli sawnwood

in Egypt but the payment process for imports into the

country is said to be complicated with all transactions

having to secure Central Bank approval which causes

delays.

Prices edging up for EU market

Europe has started its holiday season which has dampened

demand even further, however, there are reports that some

prices have started to move in the right direction for

timbers such as movingui and acajou, not big sellers at the

best of times. A common comment from producers across

the region is that payments from buyers are now slower

than previously and 60 days is now becoming the norm.

Export volumes down as even as recovery plans

developed

  Timber exports from Cameroon have fallen sharply by as

much as 45% and reports indicate some 60% of sawmills

in the country have stopped operations.

The government is preparing a package of support for

industries in the country but support will only be provided

once companies can show their licenses and arrangements

with the government are in order.

The industry is looking forward to the government

assistance so they can begin the process of rehiring

workers.

Even if mills wish to resume operations they will face logs

shortages, especially for timbers that are now in demand

as markets are beginning to revive.

There are reports of a large volume of, mainly secondary,

peeler logs for the Chinese market held up in the port and

they are deteriorating fast.

Timber exports from the Congo have also fallen, the result

of the combined impact of the pandemic and tough

implementation of the export quota system. Control on

exports is very tight in the Port of Pointe Noire. There are

reports of several Chinese mills ceasing operations.

   Most mills cut okoume for the Chinese and other Asian

markets. There are reports of some timber shippers taking

advantage of deals offered by conventional vessels looking

for return cargos after delivering cement.