(Business in Cameroon) - Despite a decrease by 36% of Canada’s imports of sawn woods in January 2018, the exports of this product from Cameroon and the US to that country increased during the period under review.

According to the International Tropical Timber Organization which revealed the information in a sectoral report last weekend, the increase of Cameroon’s exports was mainly spurred by the exports of Sapelli.

Let’s note that previously, Sapelli was mainly exported to the United States. However, it is now one of the most exported varieties to Canada (along with Acajou whose exports to Canada has more than tripled by end October 2017, placing Cameroon among the leading tropical timber exporters to Canada).

It should also be noted that according to the figures revealed by the national port authority, wood (both sawn and raw) is the most exported non-oil product in Cameroon and, most of the times; the volume of its exports exceeds 50% of the total exports (exports of crude oil non-comprised).

Brice R. Mbodiam