The Rougier Africa International branch achieved 3Q revenues of Euro 30.7 million, up 12% on last year, making it possible to reduce the contraction in sales to only 2.6% (Euro 81.9 million) for the first nine months of 2013. Business has been temporarily affected by the difficulties with port handling issues in Douala, resulting in longer shipping times for logs from Cameroon and Congo. In Gabon, the business shows signs of improving, thanks in particular to a good level of forest production, combined with the development of log sales on the local market. The new activities for international trade in African tropical timber are also helping drive revenue growth.
During the 3Q, the France Import-Distribution branch generated Euro 7.6 million in revenues, an increase of 18% in relation to last year, following a first six months marked by a difficult economic environment and relatively unfavorable weather conditions. This upturn in business, supported by adaptations to the ranges of products offered by Rougier Sylvaco and Rougier Panneaux on markets facing significant competition, made it possible to limit the contraction in revenues over the first nine months of 2013 to only 6.1% (Euro 24.4 million).
Log sales (22.8% of the total for the first nine months of 2013) are down 25.3% in relation to a high basis for comparison in 2012, due to delays with shipments from Cameroon and Congo.
Sawn timber sales (56.4% of the total for the first nine months of 2013) are up 7.9% compared with the previous year. The 3Q was particularly buoyant, with sales coming in 28.5% higher than the 3Q 2012. In addition, the positive trend for business reflects the increase in sales prices, as well as the diversification of the range of certified products offered and the expansion of the various regional markets covered.
Plywood sales (20.8% of the total for the first nine months of 2013) are down 6.2% on the previous year. In a still difficult environment, with high levels of competition, revenues for the 3Q 2013 show 4.2% growth compared with the previous year, confirming the turnaround that began during the 2Q 2013.
Growth in the 3Q was supported by the dynamic level of demand on markets in America, emerging countries in Africa and certain Mediterranean Basin countries. In Asia, sales reflect the good level of development achieved on the Chinese market during the third quarter. These elements have made it possible to partially offset the weak level of demand on the main European markets.
Rougier Group is a market leader for certified African tropical timber. The Group operates around three activities: Rougier Afrique International (natural forest harvesting, industrial processing and international trade), Lignafrica (research, management and investment in industrial forest plantations in Africa), Rougier Sylvaco and Rougier Panneaux (importing and distribution in France of timber from all origins).
