Congo can still export logs cut 23 years ago, but inventory will run out
Although the Republic of Congo (Congo Brazzaville) has ceased exporting logs since January 1, 2023, the Port of Black Point announced on October 21, 2022 that it will also cease logging operations from January 1, limited to the export of semi-finished or finished sawn timber. But at the same time, Congo allows the export of logs cut down before 2023 under strict supervision. However, due to the rapid decrease in inventory, it is expected that around June, the inventory of logs cut down before the year of Congo will be depleted and there will be no goods available for export.
Throughout 2022, China imported 1.132 billion yuan of Congolese timber, with logs accounting for nearly 84% of the total, reaching 950 million yuan, while sawn timber was only 182 million yuan. According to the diagram organized by Xiao Lao, there is a significant difference in the specific gravity between logs and sawn timber.
Also affected by the log export ban, Congolese log suppliers received a large number of overseas orders before the ban was implemented. In January 2023, China imported 179 million yuan of Congolese logs, an increase of 286% compared to the same period last year. The import of Congolese logs in February increased by 886% to 47.56 million yuan even during the off-season Spring Festival holiday.
But since March, the import of logs has been significantly lower than the same period last year. In March, the import of Congolese logs decreased by 23.6% year-on-year to 98.78 million yuan.
According to ITTO's report, as of April, Congo's exportable inventory of logs has been basically sold out, and the remaining inventory is difficult to maintain its share of conventional exports. Although Equatorial Guinea continues to allow the export of logs and sawn timber through the port of Bata, the "disappearance" of Congolese logs has entered the real countdown.
