Problems facing African timber production
Several African countries are facing serious challenges with regard to rainfall.
Traffic in the Central African Republic is suffering from difficulties caused by heavy rains, which are affecting the arrival of trucks at the port of Douala.
Producers in Cameroon are also grappling with heavy rains that are causing delays in log deliveries to mills.
Inland Gabon there has been a 50 per cent drop in log harvesting due to heavy rains.
In addition, labour has become a significant problem.
Debarking factories in the Special Economic Zone (NKOK) have been pressured by the government to reduce the number of foreign workers. Shortages of skilled labour, especially heavy machinery for debarkers and mechanics, have led companies to consider reducing production.
