Ghana timber export volumes rise 21%

28 January 2015 by Stephen Powney


Latest export statistics from Ghana show the country’s timber product shipments rose 21% in the first nine months of 2014, according to the International Tropical Timber Organisation. (ITTO).

The ITTO's market update quotes figures from Ghana Forestry Commission's Timber Industry Development Division, which show exports of timber and wood products totalled 249,846m3 for the period, up 7.8% in value compared to the same period in 2013.

Growth was recorded for kiln-dried (KD) and air-dried (AD) sawn timber, poles and billets. AD sawn timber was the single largest export product, accounting for 91,164m3 and worth some €36.4m. KD sawn timber's export volume was 44,958m3, valued at €20.5m.

Veneer volumes recorded were 21,337m3, with a value of €15.2m, while plywood accounted for 48,949m3 and €15.9m respectively.

As far as destination markets go, Asia/Far East was the top customer with a 44% share, followed by Africa (26%), with the main balance going to Europe.

Main export species were wawa, mahogany, gmelina, teak, papao, koto, odum, ceiba, walnut and ofram.