In the 3Q 2015 the volume of approved sawnwood contracts increased to 162,000 cubic metres, an increase of 86% over 2Q volumes. This increase was mainly due to the lifting of the export ban on rosewood sawnwood during the 3Q.
Sawn rosewood accounted for 39% of the total volume of the contracts approved in the 3Q. In addition, compared to the 2Q, there was a 37% increase in approvals for teak exports and a 12% increase approvals of other sawnwood contracts.
In the 3Q there was only a minor change in tertiary product exports approvals.
Approvals for primary product exports fell in the 3Q 2015. The volume of contracts for gmelina log exports submitted in the 3Q fell almost 75% (2,000 cubic metres) compared to the 2Q. Similarly, exporters submitted very few contracts for teak poles/billets export. Logs go mainly to the India market and in the 3Q contract volumes were down over 26%.
Contract submissions for the export of plywood to neighbouring countries (overland export) fell to 19,282 cubic metres, an almost 6% decline.
Sawnwood export contracts in the 3Q accounted for almost 80% of the total volume of contracts approved during the 3Q (136,461 cubic metres), a sharp increase compared to the previous quarter.
The market structure for Ghana’s wood product remained unchanged in the 3Q. The regional West African market continued to be the major destination for Ghana’s plywood.
Sliced veneer and kiln dried sawnwood exports are mainly destined for European markets while air dry sawnwood, especially rosewood and other high density species such as apa, ekki and denya are for the Chinese market.
The US market continued as the major destination for mahogany/cedrela sawnwoodber and rotary veneer. The
Middle East and Egyptian markets are emerging as a major destination for backing grade rotary veneer.
