Nov 15, 2011. /Lesprom Network/. Tropical timber producer Rougier increased its 3Q sales 3.4% despite difficult maritime logistics on its African routes. The company recorded Euro 31.9 million sales for the period, with the main Africa international business showing sales of Euro 80.8 million for the nine months to September 30 – an 8.6% growth on a year ago, as TTJ reported. Turnover in the lumber business grew 21.3% for the nine months to Euro 55.9 million (2010: Euro 46,1 million) – 53% of consolidates sales. Plywood sales declined 8.4% to Euro 24.7 million and logs sales fell 1.2% to Euro 24.9 million. 3Q activity was still down 8% due to difficulties in the Port of Douala which affected Cameroon and Congo export sales. This was partially offset by the development of local sales in Gabon. Rougier is continuing with its 2011 Euro 11 million programme of industrialisation and increasing production capacity in Africa. The Gabonese plywood plant at Owendo is being modernised, while a new sawmill is being created and the capacity of the Mevang mill is being doubled. Other investments include modernisation at Mbang, Cameroon and a new facility on a secondary processing site in Libreville (Gabon) acquired by Rougier last month.