Continuous heavy rains have caused significant production delays and reduced output in Cameroon's timber sector. Compounding the situation, the upcoming presidential elections have led to the temporary closure of most sawmills across the country. More than half of the Chinese-operated sawmills remain idle as a result, with operations expected to gradually resume by the end of October.
Despite these challenges, port activities and container transport continue to operate smoothly. There is currently no reported shortage of shipping containers, ensuring that logistics and export processes remain unaffected.
On the demand side, weak market conditions in China have raised concerns among local timber operators. In contrast, the Middle East market remains stable, with consistent demand for species such as Iroko, Sapele, and Padauk. However, low-density timber species continue to see sluggish movement in the region.
Adding to industry anxieties is the imminent implementation of the European Union Timber Regulation (EUTR), which is expected to impose additional compliance requirements on timber exports to the EU. Stakeholders in both the timber and agricultural sectors are concerned about the potential hurdles this may bring for Cameroonian exports to the European market.
