The Forestry Commission of Ghana has reported that the country generated €1,702,426.33 from timber exports to ECOWAS countries during the second quarter (April to June) of 2024.

This amount was secured from the export of 4,804.924 m³ of timber and wood products, indicating Ghana’s continued engagement in the regional timber market despite a decline in both volume and value compared to the previous year.

This figure reflects a sharp decrease from the €3,038,606.66 earned during the same period in 2023 when the volume of exports was significantly higher at 7,906.619 m³. The average unit price of timber and wood products also saw a decline, dropping from €384.31/m³ in Q2 2023 to €354.31/m³ in Q2 2024.

The overall decline in exports shows a shift in demand, possibly due to global market fluctuations and competition from other timber-exporting countries.

In Togo, the value of timber exports decreased from €815,314.30 in Q2 2023 to €382,156.79 in Q2 2024, despite a relatively small decline in volume from 2,056.520 m³ to 983.399 m³. Senegal also saw a decline in export value, dropping from €1,005,581.13 to €184,362.86 with volume decreasing from 2,707.041 m³ to 566.980 m³.

Burkina Faso showed a decline in revenue from €756,597.25 in 2023 to €420,293.60 in 2024, with volumes falling from 1,745.277 m³ to 1,194.280 m³. In Niger, while the value slightly decreased from €344,650.21 to €405,905.03, the volume of exports increased from 938.692 m³ to 1,208.583 m³, indicating a possible change in purchasing dynamics.

Exports to Nigeria represented a notable decrease, with revenue falling from €53,862.81 to €92,959.86, reflecting a drop in volume from 150.033 m³ to 255.849 m³. The smallest markets, such as Côte d'Ivoire and Mali, also experienced reduced demand, contributing minimally to the overall export figures.

Among the 115 exporters recorded in Q2 2024, leading companies included Samartex Timber and Plywood Company Limited, Logs and Lumber Limited, and Multimodal Freight Services Limited. These companies exported a diverse range of products, including lumber (both air-dried and kiln-dried), plywood, and billets.

In general, the Forestry Commission reports that Ghana secured €31,256,035.35 from the export of 68,965.620 m³ of timber and wood products from April to June of 2024. However, this represents a decrease of 15.27% in value and 15.34% in volume compared to the €36,890,952.87 earned from 81,462.698 m³ in the same quarter of 2023.

The top five products exported were Lumber (Air Dried), Lumber (Kiln Dried), Plywood (Overland), Plywood, and Billet, whereas the the top five favourite destinations were, India, Senegal, the United States of America, Germany, and Togo.

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