Jan 23, 2009. /Lesprom.com/. The government of Gabon has indicated that from 1 January 2009, four major species of timber, afo, douka, moabi, and ozigo, are no longer permitted to be harvested. Producers will have to dispose of all stocks of these species by April 1, 2009.
Gabon bans harvest of four tropical hardwood species
Jan 23, 2009. /Lesprom.com/. The government of Gabon has indicated that from 1 January 2009, four major species of timber, afo, douka, moabi, and ozigo, are no longer permitted to be harvested, informed Lesprom Network according to the ITTO.
Producers will have three months in which to dispose of all stocks of these species. The impact of this measure on market prices and the volume of annual harvest in Gabon has yet to be assessed.
Moabi is a major species for the market in France, although French importers are currently overstocked with moabi. Despite this, there may be a rush to secure the limited stocks that remain in the pipeline. Although individually the volumes of each of the four species are not that significant, the ban will mean a noticeable reduction in the harvest volumes per hectare. This is expected to impact the viability of some concession areas.
At this stage, there is no information as to whether or not concession holders will be able to increase annual allowable concession areas or harvest volumes per hectare of other species to compensate for the lower output.
