Central/West Africa: Improving export volumes and prices in EU

Sursa:
ITTO/Fordaq
Vizualizări:
2287
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African exporters find their European business has been improving in terms of both volume and price signaling a solid foundation to demand. For the past two or three years EU importers have very carefully managed stock levels of tropical timbers but as the economies in some EU member states improve there has been an increase in timber consumption for infrastructure projects, housing and renovation works which encouraged importers to expand stock levels.

West and Central African plywood production and export is relatively small in terms of world trade but demand and price levels in the traditional European markets have been sustained in spite of the recent weakening of Asian panel prices.

FOB price stability underpinned as SE Asian log supply falls

West African FOB log prices have remained stable in spite of the low demand from the main buyer; China. Log harvest levels have been reduced and there has been a degree of trading between domestic companies in order to adjust supply and avoid a build-up of log stocks.

The current FOB price stability for West and Central African logs has been underpinned by rising SE Asian log FOB prices. In Sabah and Sarawak, for example, log availability has fallen in recent months.

Fears linger in Middle East over shipment of low priced SE Asian sawnwood

There are no signs of a recovery in demand for logs or sawnwood for the Chinese market and this has prompted millers to cut production or temporarily close the mills.

The short-term prospects for prices depend now on buying activity for the EU and Middle East markets. Analysts report that Middle East buyers still have lingering fears of an overall weakening of prices due to some low priced material being shipped from SE Asia and this has resulted in them holding back on future contracts until the situation becomes clear.

Log Export Prices

West Africa logs, FOB € per m³
Asian market
LM
B
BC/C
Acajou/ Khaya/N'Gollon
230
230
160
Ayous/Obéché/Wawa
260
260
180
Azobe & Ekki
230
230
160
Belli
250
250
-
Bibolo/Dibétou
150
145
 
Iroko 330
290
260
Okoume (60% CI, 40% CE, 20% CS) (China only) 220
220
160
Moabi 335 305 225
Movingui 210
210
160
Niove
160
160
-
Okan
250
250
-
Padouk
310
285
225
Sapele 320
310
220
Sipo/Utile
345
340
265
Tali 320 320
-

                                                                                                                                               

Sawnwood Export Prices

West Africa sawnwood, FOB
€ per m³
Ayous FAS GMS 410
Bilinga FAS GMS 500
Okoumé FAS GMS
370
Merchantable 225
Std/Btr GMS 270
Sipo FAS GMS
610
FAS fixed sizes 610
FAS scantlings 640
Padouk FAS GMS 930
FAS scantlings 980
Strips 680
Sapele FAS Spanish sizes 610
FAS scantlings 620
Iroko FAS GMS 610
Scantlings 690
Strips
440
Khaya FAS GMS
450
FAS fixed
460
Maobi FAS GMS
610
Scantlings
630
Movingui FAS GMS
420
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