LONDON: In the first 10 months of 2015, Ghana exported 43,830 cubic metres of wood products by road (overland export) to ECOWAS neighbouring countries, ITTO reported. Plywood accounted for 42,450 cubic metres, or 97% of total overland exports. Other wood products exported included sawnwood and sliced veneer.
Ghana earned Euro 15.58 million from overland plywood exports during the 10 month period in 2015. The main destinations for Ghana’s overland plywood exports were Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Togo, Benin, Mali and Niger. Nigeria has been the leading importing of Ghana’s plywood accounting for around 90% each month.
The overland market for sawnwood was mainly in Niger, Togo and Senegal with Niger absorbing 57% of total first 10 month exports. Togo and Cote d’Ivoire have been the main market for sliced veneer overland exports.
Popular species in regional markets are Ceiba, Dahoma, Ofram, Mahogany, Bombax, Makore, Akasa, Esia, Chenchen and Koto. Ghana’s overland exports to her neighbours and ECOWAS countries started as far back as the 1980’s. The market share of exports from Ghana to ECOWAS countries is round 14% whereas to Africa as a whole it is around 20%. Overland exports were initially to Burkina Faso and Togo but as the regional integration grew markets expanded. The trading currency for the regional marketing of Ghana’s overland wood product exports are priced either in CFA or US dollars.
