Ghana earns €93m from wood export

Accra, Sept. 17, GNA - Ghana earned about 93 million Euros from the export of 265,915 cubic metres of wood products in the first half of this year, the Forestry Commission said on Monday.

This is up 9.33 per cent and 22.20 per cent in value and volume respectively on how the timber export trade performed during a similar period last year, according to a statement released on Monday. The Commission's report on the Export of Wood Products, compiled by its Timber Industry Development Division, said in January to June 2006, Ghana earned 84.9 million Euros from the export of 217,590 cubic metres wood products.

The report said secondary wood products contributed 84.612 million Euros, almost 91 per cent, from 248,518 cubic metres, about 93.5 per cent, to the total value and volume from January to June this year. Products involved were lumber, veneers, plywood, boules, billet, pegs and poles.

The report named Europe as the major destination for Ghana's wood products during the first half of this year.

Ghana earned Euro 39.330 million Euros from the export of 82,150 cubic metres of wood products to the European market, which accounted for about 42.29 per cent and 30.89 per cent respectively of the total value and volume for the period.

The report said exports to India amounted to 14.549 million Euros and were the single highest value, followed by those to the United States of America with Euro 12.016 million Euros and Nigeria with 11.248 million Euros.

Nigeria topped in plywood imports, India, in teak poles imports whilst the USA topped in rotary veneer and lumber. Teak was the most traded species during the period under review and it fetched Ghana 15.977 million Euros, fo llowed by Ceiba with 13 million Euros and Wawa with 12.508 milion Euros. Ten out of two hundred and fifty-six companies contributed 55.172 million Euros (about 59 per cent) to the total earning. The companies were John Bitar Company Limited, Naja David Veneer and Plywood, Limited Logs and Lumber Company Limited and SAMARTEX Timber and Plywood.

The rest were Ghana Prime Wood Products Limited, Fortuna Timbers (Ghana) Limited, Mondia Veneer (Ghana) Limited, Ayum Forest Products Limited, Jowak Entrepreneur and AG Timbers Limited.