A three member Ghanaian delegation is in Europe to participate in a series of meetings to create awareness of the interim arrangements that Ghana has put in place to ensure the supply of legal timber to the EU market in advance of the adoption in Ghana of the FLEGT licensing system.
Ghana will deliver FLEGT licensed wood products to the EU when the Ghana/EU Voluntary Partnership Agreement is ratified by both parties. The Ghanaian delegation to the EU plans to meet with Customs Authorities in Belgium.
A series of workshops have been planned in Ghana to create awareness of the requirements of the EU Timber Regulation. The first workshop will take place on 21 February 2013 in Kumasi.
The Forestry Commission is working with the Ghanaian Trade Associations in providing support to firms in meeting the documentary requirements of EU buyers.
SMEs seek support from the Government
Small-scale timber companies in Ghana have asked the government to try and find ways to assist in sourcing much needed capital to boost their businesses and give the whole industry a ‘make-over’.
According to a statement from the group of small companies, timber enterprises are finding it very difficult to secure financing for importing the machinery needed for downstream manufacturing of products such as doors, knockdown furniture, plywood and joinery etc.
According to an executive from a small-scale company in Sunyani West District of Brong Ahafo, Mr. Kofi Vinyo, the association representing the small companies is asking the government to put in place financial structures and mechanisms for the timber industry to be modernised and thus contribute more to national development.
Financial institutions in Ghana are reluctant to provide loans to small companies and many enterprises cannot have access credit. Even if financing is available small companies find it very difficult to service the loans as interest rates are high.
Bank of Ghana poised to cut interest rates
Analysts suggest that the Bank of Ghana is likely to cut interest rates when its rate setting committee meets next month to reconsider its monetary policy. The head of Databank Research in Accra said there is room for the monetary policy committee to lower interest rates by as much as 200 basis points. The Bank of Ghana has not lowered its benchmark policy rate since July 2011 when it brought the rate down by 50 basis points to 12.5 percent. In 2012, the Bank boosted the policy rate by 250 basis points to 15 percent as part of a series of actions to stem a slide in the cedi exchange rate.
Boule Export prices
Euro per m3 | |
Black Ofram | 225▲ |
Black Ofram Kiln dry | 290 |
Niangon | 484▲ |
NiangonKiln dry | 545 |
Domestic Log Prices
Ghana logs |
US$ per m³ | |||
Up to 80 cm | 80cm+ | |||
Wawa | 154-163▲ | 165-180▲ | ||
Odum Grade A | 168-174▲ | 177-188▲ | ||
Ceiba | 122-152▲ | 135-152▲ | ||
Chenchen | 93-105▲ | 108-123▲ | ||
Khaya/Mahogany (Veneer Qual.) | 111-123 | 125-145 | ||
Sapele Gradea A | 145-155 | 160-185 | ||
Makore (Veneer Qual.) Grade A | 132-138▲ | 140-166 | ||
Ofram | 105-114 | 140-166 |
Export Sawnwood Prices
Ghana Sawnwood, FOB | US$ per m³ | |
FAS 25-100mm x 150mm up x 2.4m up | Air-dried | Kiln-dried |
Afrormosia | 855 | 945 |
Asanfina | 480 | - |
Ceiba | 185▲ | 240▲ |
Dahoma | 318▲ | 409▲ |
Edinam (mixed redwood) | 375▲ | 444▲ |
Emeri | 358▲ | 424▲ |
African mahogany (Ivorensis) | 575▲ | 643▲ |
Makore | 538▲ | 607▲ |
Niangon | 502▲ | 573▲ |
Odum | 610▲ | 698▲ |
Sapele | 600▲ | 627▲ |
Wawa 1C & Select | 302▲ | 353▲ |
Export Veneer Prices
Rotary Veneer, FOB | € per m³ | |
Core (1-1.9mm) | Face (<2mm) | |
Bombax | 315 | 350 |
Ofram | 295 | 355▲ |
Ogea & Otie | 285 | 350 |
Chenchen | 285 | 350 |
Ceiba | 245 | 353▲ |
The above prices are for full sized panels, smaller sizes minus 15%. Thickness below 1mm would attract a 5% premium.
Export Rotary Veneer Prices
Rotary Veneer 2mm and up, FOB |
€ per m3 | |
CORE (2mm & up) | FACE (2mm & up) | |
Ceiba | 280 | 305 |
Chenchen | 315 | 350 |
Ogea | 315 | 350 |
Essa | 215 | 350 |
Ofram | 315 | 350 |
Export Sliced Veneer Prices
Sliced Veneer, FOB | € per sq. m | |
Face | Backing | |
Afrormosia | 1.19 | 1.00 |
Asanfina | 1.40 | 0.80 |
Avodire | 1.00 | 0.60 |
Chenchen | 0.72 | 0.44 |
Mahogany | 1.25 | 0.70 |
Makore | 1.20 | 0.65▲ |
Odum | 1.75 | 0.95 |
Export Plywood Prices
Plywood, FOB | € per m3 | ||
Ceiba | Ofram | Asanfina | |
4mm
|
404▲ | 571 | 622 |
6mm
|
392 | 602▲ | 600 |
9mm
|
335▲ | 415▲ | 461 |
12mm
|
333▲ | 406 | 422 |
15mm
|
296 | 356▲ | 359 |
18mm
|
286 | 345 | 355 |
Grade AB/BB would attract a premium of 10%, B/BB 5%, C/CC 5% and CC/CC 10%.
Export Added Value Product Prices
Parquet flooring 1st | FOB € per sq.m | ||
10x60mm | 10x65-75mm | 14x70mm | |
Apa | 12.00 | 14.47 | 17.00 |
Odum | 8.30▲ | 11.00▲ | 11.60▲ |
Hyedua | 13.67 | 13.93 | 17.82 |
Afrormosia | 13.72 | 18.22 | 17.82 |
Grade 2 less 5%, Grade 3 less 10%.
also give price of teak wood