Rising demand for logs back after lull During the period under review exports of greenheart and
purpleheart logs resumed.

Because there had been a break in log exports, prices changed as new orders flowed in. Greenheart prices improved for all three log categories. Standard sawmill quality logs were traded at FOB prices ranging from US$140 to US$210 per cubic metre.

Likewise prices for Fair sawmill quality ranged from US$130 to US$210 per cubic metre FOB while FOB
prices for Small category logs were US$140 per cubic metre.

Purpleheart logs (Standard Sawmill quality) attracted favourable prices on the export market from US$210 to US$385 per cubic metre FOB. Buyers for markets in Asia and the Caribbean were active and supported the trade in purpleheart.

Additionally, wamara (Swartzia leiocalycina) logs were exported and FOB prices held firm ranging from US$125 to US$140 per cubic metre.

Asian markets attracted by some exotic timbers Some of the other prime species being exported in log
form included kabukalli (Goupia glabra) US$130 to US$160 per cubic metre FOB; shibadan (Aspidosperma spp) US$130 to US$150 per cubic metre FOB and washiba (Tabebuia sp.) US$150 to US$170 per cubic metre FOB. Markets in Asia were the main destinations for these exotic timbers from Guyana.

Sawnwood exports steady During the period under review sawnwood exports made a positive contribution to total export earnings.

Undressed greenheart (Prime) sawnwood attracted a top end price of US$955 per cubic metre FOB while Select Undressed sawn greenheart prices were favourable with a top end price ranging from US$933 to US$1,209 per cubic metre FOB. Encouragingly, Merchantable category Undressed sawn greenheart top end FOB prices went as high as US$848 per cubic metre.

This durable and sustainable timber attracted diverse markets in the Caribbean, Europe, French West Indies and North America.

Undressed purpleheart (Select) sawnwood also attracted a good price on the market earning as much as US$1,378 per cubic metre FOB, on the other hand for the period reviewed, Merchantable quality sawn purpleheart secured only a fair FOB price of US$650 per cubic metre.

Undressed mora (Select) sawnwood prices held steady at US$594 per cubic metre FOB for markets in the Caribbean and New Zealand.

Growing demand for dressed sawnwood During the period reviewed the overseas demand for Dressed greenheart sawnwood was encouraging as this category of sawnwood earned as much as US$1,060 per cubic metre FOB.

Similarly, FOB prices for Dressed purpleheart held firm at around US$1,102 per cubic metre. Markets in the Caribbean dominated the trade in Dressed purpleheart sawnwood.

Greenheart for marine applications Greenheart piles attracted positive export market prices as
much as US$355 per cubic metre FOB, with Europe being the prime market for this durable timber product which is used for marine and wharf structures.

Guyana?s wallapa posts earned a favourable market FOB price of US$685 per cubic metre while wallaba splitwood (shingles) attracted a price of US$1,091 per cubic metre FOB in Caribbean markets.

Regional market demand supports added value. production The Caribbean market in particular supports the production of added value products such as craft items, doors, indoor furniture, spindles, window frames, and wooden utensils as well as non-timber forest products.

Exporters target new markets for washiba (Guyana ipe) Washiba (Tabebuia sp) is known in the trade as Guyana?s ipe. Tabebuia is a high density timber (1,040 kg/ cu.m) and can be found across Central and tropical South America.

This species is also known and traded internationally as hakia and lapacho. The Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) says a sustainable supply of this timber species can be assured. Washiba has long been one of Guyana?s export species and can be used for a variety of end-uses where strength, durability and appearance are important.

Between 2008 and 2013 the export price for Washiba (Dressed) went from US$636 per cubic metre to as high as US$2,900 per cubic metre FOB.

The increase in price was due to the significant increase in demand for this product because of its versatile end use applications. Washiba is especially popular for outdoor decking particularly in the United States.

The GFC says there is potential for this timber species to gain a stronger footing in Caribbean and other markets where there is a need for a durable timber for use in sea front accommodation or for decking.

Update on Guyana’s FLEGT VPA process The Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) has reported that
Guyana?s engagement with the EU on a Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) is progressing and work has continued on the various components in the agreed Roadmap.

The National Technical Working Group meets as scheduled and work has continued on the development of the two projects for which Guyana has received financial support from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

The consultant for the Communication and Consultation Strategy has met with various stakeholder groups and the feedback garnered from this process will inform the Communication and Consultation Strategy.

The Scoping of Impacts Study has commenced and an initial testing of the draft Legality Definition was
conducted to ascertain the compliance level and identify initial gaps. Both of these activities are scheduled to be completed during the first quarter of 2014.

Funding for various aspects of the VPA is still beingexplored and must be secured so that work plan for 2014 can be implemented.

Collaboration on chainsaw milling During a second phase of the Chainsaw Milling Project in
Guyana the National Technical Working Group, NTWG and the Project have successfully collaborated in an effort to continue the consultation process on Guyana?s VPA.

Source:Global Wood

Posted and edited by Hanbao News Department

Contact: import-export@hanbaogroup.com