(Business in Cameroon) - In Q1, 2019, European Union countries imported 184,000 metric tons of sawn tropical timber. This 15% year to year rise is notably due to a rise in exports by timber growers operating in Cameroon.

During the period under review, Cameroon exported 60,000 metric tons of the product to the EU, the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) reveals in its sectoral report covering the first half of July 2019. Year to year, it represents an increase of 22%.

This means that Cameroon supplied about 33% of EU’s imports of sawn timber. However, during the same period, the country’s log exports towards the EU decreased.

According to the ITTO, between January and March 2019, Cameroon’s raw log exports to the European Union recorded a 33% year to year decline to stand at 2,260 metric tons.

Brice R. Mbodiam