world news - 06.10.2003
West African Log Prices
Log prices have remained unchanged throughout September. A shortage of Niangon, caused by the ban on log imports from Liberia, is being made up partly by limited extra volumes from Gabon and by increased sales of Sapele and Moabi. Even these shortages did not trigger any increase in Niangon prices.
Analysts report that Azobe prices may be set to increase from the current level of Euro 145 per cubic metre FOB to around Euro 154 — 161.50 for logs from Gabon, Equatorial Guinea and Congo Brazzaville. Otherwise, markets are reported as dull with Portugal out of the market for their traditional Iroko and Spanish log buyers interested only in top quality and large sizes at their usual low priced end of the log market.
Asian buyers are reported as being in the market for peeler logs but there is very fierce competition for these contracts especially by exporters in Gabon. Log production is likely to slow during the coming rain season and producers expect this will help to hold prices steady.
Italian buyers are reportedly well satisfied with Okoume as a replacement for Ayous and are also finding Okoume suitable for some external uses. The disputes over the Surface (land) Tax increases in the Central African Republic and Congo Brazzaville continue to disrupt and slow production.
See also:
- — West Africa Sawnwood Prices
- — US Hardwood Exports Continue To Improve
- — US Residential Construction in August
- — New Sawmills in Russia
- — Japan: First Half Panel Supply