Turnover of the National Timber Company of Gabon (SNBG) increased by 12% in 2008

May 11, 2009. /Lesprom Network/. The turnover of the National Timber Company of Gabon (SNBG) registered an increase of 12% in 2008, against the 7% it made in 2007, as Le Mali en ligne informed Lesprom Network. The increase was due to the significant increase in the sales in volumes, with a strong progression of the different timber species whose sales in value represented 40% of the global export figure in 2008, against only 9% in 2007. The Asian market, mainly represented by China and India, absorbed 84% of sales of SNBG as against 66% in 2007. The Mediterranean basin registered a drop in its market share that went from 26% in 2007 to 11% in 2008. Likewise, the exports of SNBG to Europe continued to reduce, registering a fall by more than 30%, going from 33,313 cubic metres in 2007 to 10,404 cubic metres in 2008. However, the volume of the different timbers is almost multiplied four-fold, going from 3,300 cubic metres in 2007, up to 12,307 cubic metres in 2008. Concerning sales by species, mahogany occupied the first place, representing 74% of total sales and the different timbers considerably progressed, going from 6% of the exports in 2007 up to 25% in 2008. Ozigo, a specie whose exploitation has been forbidden since January 1, 2009, registered less than 1% of the sales of the company. SNBG was created in 1975 and has a capital divided between the state, the foresters and the employees.