In Gabon, 2000 was generally a good year for foresters and the economy. Forest production volume is constantly on the increase and should now be over 3.5 million m³ for all harvested species, including the supply to local mills. Log export volumes increased by around 9%, including a 6.2% rise for okoumé and 17% for diverse species.
The increase in okoumé log exports is a direct result of the good economic conditions in Europe and the increased interest by Asiatic markets as they purchase more than half (58%) of all Gabonese log exports (China has reinforced its position as the main market for log exports with 42% of the total).
The development of log exports of diverse species has been the main feature of the Gabonese forest economy over the past five years. Who would have thought 10 years ago, that today Gabon would be exporting almost 50 diverse species, accounting for 50% of total export volume? This phenomenon is the result of Asian and European markets demanding greater volumes of diverse log species because of the weakening of their own forest production and the competitiveness of the French franc in relation to the dollar. Also, there have been log exports from neighbouring African countries.
Diversification
It has also been necessary for foresters to better valorise their production by the diversification of species harvested, a potential that is today recognised by every management plan and inventory.
This good level of volume and price activity induces positive returns over the whole sector and increases confidence for further investment. This prosperity is certainly a great asset for sustainable management, for the further drawing up of management plans (that need to be financed) and to local industrial development.
Alternative income
Gabon’s healthy forestry sector is good news for the economy, as the revenue from petrol is declining and alternative income needs to be found. It is also good news because the country is fast becoming one of the role models for sustainable management in the Congo basin.
Last year Congo was emerging from a civil war and forestry production has yet to reach the pre-war volumes of 1997. If this conflict had only a minor effect on the production in the north of the country far away from administrative and transport problems, it paralysed forestry and industrial production in the south. Companies are having problems starting production again, whether because of lack of supply or complications arising after the conflict.
These difficulties led to the cessation of plywood production. One such factory was the Socobois plant at Dolisie where forestry and industrial plant were plundered during the war and the company is unable to reach agreement with the Congolese government concerning the technical conditions for recommencing production.
The rehabilitation of the Brazzaville-Point Noire CFCO railroad gives some hope for the improvement of this region of Congo’s forestry sector.
The plantations in the north of Congo are in operation once more. The international market for redwoods is satisfactory and the ban on the export of redwood logs from Cameroon is helping activity in Congo.
Banned species
It is difficult to analyse Cameroon’s forestry production because exports of numerous species, such as iroko, sapele, movingui, moabi, dibetou and doussie, have been banned. However, there are new species appearing for export.
Ayous remains the most important export species, despite the fact that it is in constant decline because of strong local demand from local peeling units and sawmills.
Italy remains the most important market for logs, principally ayous, and China the second; indeed, Asia accounts for almost 34% of all exports.
There have been some significant changes in the Cameroon market as the allocation of new concessions has been normalised and last year’s errors corrected. Post tender controls are more severe, leading to good application of the law and forestry production controls have reduced fraud and illegal logging.
Local industrialisation is developing at such a rate that it could lead to a shortage of raw material, and hence an increase in illegal logging, and a shortage of skilled labour.
