Export volume jumps 21.5%

During January to September 2007, Ghana exported 399,361 m³ of timber and wood products, earning EUR138.5 million of revenue. This represents a 10.1% increase over the EUR125.8 million earned during the same period last year. Export volume also rose by 21.5% during January-September 2007.

Exports to Europe amounted to EUR 58.75 million, representing 42.4% of the earnings. The EU markets, especially Italy, France, Germany and the UK were the key destinations for Ghana’s wood products.

Wood exports to India were 93,935 m³ worth EUR21.46 million, the single highest export destination in terms of volume and value. The products shipped to India included air and kiln dried lumber, sliced and rotary veneers, billets and teak poles. China was also emerging as an important East Asian market for Ghana’s wood products.

At the regional level, Nigeria has also become a prominent wood products market in the ECOWAS sub-region. Nigeria’s plywood imports from Ghana, during the period under review were about EUR17.33 million, the second biggest destination for Ghana’s plywood exports. This is due in part to the robust and sustained market development and trade promotion programme, started by the Forestry Commission. Similarly, the Forestry Commission is collaborating with timber associations locally and overseas to enhance the performance of Ghana’s timber trade and industry in terms of species, products and market developments.

Ten companies with integrated processing facilities and high installed capacity utilization and recovery out of 310 wood processing mills, which exported during the period under review, contributed about EUR83.26 million (or about 60.2%) to the total earning for the period. The ten included Mssrs. John Bitar and Co., Ayum Forest Products, Samartex Timber and Plywood, Logs and Lumber Co. and Forune Timber (Gh), Ghana Primewood, Mondial Veneer (Gh), AG Timbers, Fabi Timbers and Naja David Veneers and Plywood, which earlier this month was granted the Exporter of the Year Award (for 2006) by the Ghana Export Promotion Council (GEPC).