The Rougier Africa International branch confirms its good performance on buoyant international markets. Over the first nine months of 2014, revenues climbed 10% compared with last year to reach Euro 90 million. In the third quarter, revenue growth slowed to +2.3%, with a total of Euro 31.5 million. In Gabon, business has continued to improve. In Cameroon and Congo, shipments are picking up again, but have continued to be affected by the structural difficulties at Douala Port.
The Rougier Sylvaco Panneaux branch has been affected by the contraction in the French building sector and the sharp drop in the number of new projects. Revenues for the first nine months of the year came to Euro 20.9 million, down 14.5% versus the previous year.
Sawn timber sales (61.6% of the total for the first nine months of 2014) are up 15.8% compared with the previous year. 3Q is in line with the 2Q: sales development has been driven by the positive trend for sales prices, boosted by the diversification of the range of products offered thanks to sourcing from outside of the Group.
Log sales (21.2% of the total for the first nine months of 2014) are down 1.1% versus the previous year. 3Q continued to be affected by the significant shipping times for logs from Cameroon and Congo, as well as the seasonal slowdown in sales to local industrial operators in Gabon.
Plywood sales (17.2% of the total for the first nine months of 2014) are down 12.1% on the previous year. 3Q shows a clear slowdown, affected by unfavorable factors, including the deterioration in demand on the French market.
Rougier Group is a market leader for certified African tropical timber. The Group operates around three business lines: Rougier Afrique International (natural forest harvesting, industrial processing and international trade), Lignafrica (research, management and investment in industrial forest plantations in Africa), and Rougier Sylvaco Panneaux (importing and distribution in France of timber from all origins).
