(Business in Cameroon) - Cameroonian exports of mahogany to Canada have more than tripled by the end of October 2017. This is revealed in a sectoral report of the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO).

The increase of exports of this variety of wood which is very popular in Africa is consecutive to the increase in shipments from many producing countries, those of Cameroon and Brazil mainly, the same source stresses.

In the United States, it is the imports of Sapelli, another well-known variety in Africa, which has contributed to Cameroon being ranked among the top suppliers of tropical timber to Uncle Sam during the period under review.

According to ITTO, Cameroon shares its leadership in terms of Sapelli exports to US with Congo, its neighbor which is also a member of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC).

Let’s note that since 2011, according to different reports from the National Port Authority, timber (both raw and sawn) is the top non-oil product exported by Cameroon, with volumes which, most of the time, exceed 50% of the total exports, crude oil excluded.

Brice R. Mbodiam