Ghana: Wood and timber product exports down 9.4% in January

Mar 04, 2011. /Lesprom Network/. Wood and timber product exports from Ghana in January 2011 totalled 23,948 cubic metres valued at Euro 7.9 million, compared to 26,430 cubic metres and Euro 8.27 million in January 2010. This represents a decline of 9.4% and 4.4% in volume and value respectively, ITTO reported. In January 2011, exports of all timber products declined except for plywood, moulding and parquet/flooring. Exports of primary products, including poles and billets, were valued at Euro 3 million in January compared to Euro 3.6 million in January 2010. Similarly, the value of exports of secondary timber products declined 3.5%, from Euro 7 million in January 2010 to Euro 6.8 million January 2011. However, exports of tertiary products were valued at $902,209 in Janaury 2010, up steeply by 32% from $681,275 in January 2010. Primary products, secondary products and tertiary products accounted for 3%, 86% and 11% of the total export value respectively. In January 2011, the share of Ghana’s exports of wood and timber products to other countries in Africa was 51% of the total export value, compared to 36% in January 2010. Exports to other destinations included Europe (26% of the total export value), Asia/Far East (15%) and the Middle East (5%). The main importing countries in Europe were Italy, France, Germany, the UK, Belgium, Spain, Ireland and the Netherlands. Plywood accounted for 38% of the total exports of wood and timber products exports from Ghana in January 2011. Compared to January 2010, plywood exports rose 9.2% in volume and 32% in value. The main importing countries for Ghana plywood were Nigeria, Niger and Togo. Ceiba, Mahogany and Ofram were the principal species utilised for plywood production.