Tropical timber producer Rougier’s sawn timber sales were up 33.2% during the third quarter, helping the company stay on track towards an expected net profit for the full year.
France-based Rougier, which has extensive African production operations, said sales continue to be buoyed by a positive demand trend and sales prices for its main timber species.
The group’s overall sales grew 1.4% to €30.9m in the quarter, while in the first nine months Rougier recorded a 7.8% growth to €98.6m.
The main Africa and international trade division’s sales rose 4.1% to €74.4m in the first nine months, with third quarter sales “stable” and reflecting a more marked seasonal slowdown due to the end of log exports from Gabon.
Cameroon and Gabon business was slowed down temporarily by irregular levels of departures from Central African ports, resulting in some deliveries being postponed until to the start of the fourth quarter.
Plywood sales were up 27.5% for the year to September 30, while third quarter sales increased by 21.6%, supported by commercial developments around FSC certification.
Rougier’s sales in Europe now make up 63.7% of business (2009: 57.1%), while Asian business has reduced to 20.5% (2009: 31.8%). sub-Saharan African sales increased to 5.7% (2009: 1.6%).
Invoicing is up 20% in Europe, with the trend particularly marked in countries sensitive to certification and legality issues.
