Georgetown: Guyana has not exported any greenheart or mora logs as standard sawmill quality purpleheart logs were exported but at lower prices than recorded recently, according to International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO) report.
Standard sawmill quality purpleheart log prices dropped from US$385 to US$ 350 per cubic metre FOB.
According to the report, while the log market was quiet, active business was seen in sawnwood export markets but, as for the log market, some prices weakened.
Shippers of greenheart (undressed, select) experienced a decline in top end price from US$950 to US$912 per cubic metre FOB. Greenheart (undressed, merchantable) sawnwood prices were around average in the region of US$636 per cubic metre FOB.
In contrast, purpleheart (undressed, select) sawnwood prices held firm at US$1,100 per cubic metre FOB, marginally better than levels recorded recently.
Export prices for purpleheart (undressed, merchantable quality) moved as high as US$650 per cubic metre FOB. Mora sawnwood was not exported in the period reviewed.
Dressed Greenheart sawnwood top end FOB prices improved significantly, moving from US$1,060 to US$1,500 per cubic metre FOB. The main markets for dressed greenheart sawnwood were Asia and the Caribbean.
Dressed purpleheart sawnwood prices were encouraging at around US$1,102 per cubic metre FOB.
Plywood export prices have weakened slightly recently. BB/CC quality plywood was traded at US$584 just US$5 lower than for the previous two week period.
Splitwood (shingles) prices remain at attractive levels and the main markets are the Caribbean and Middle East.
Round (piling) prices were favourable on the export market moving to as much as US$651 per cubic metre FOB for the markets in Europe and North America.
The Forest Products Development and Marketing Council of Guyana (FPDMC) received external funding to support marketing, promotion and product development of Guyana’s timbers within the forest sector.
One of the major aims of the Council is the strengthening of the timber industry in Guyana through developing strategic marketing plans.
A key activity of the Council will be the production of a promotional video targeting the local and overseas consumer. The aim in producing the video is illustrate all aspects of the chain of custody controls from harvesting to export of value added products.
The FPDMC will include in its plan further awareness raising and promotion for domestic and overseas consumers of the opportunities offered by Guyana’s lesser used species.
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