Guyana: Log prices stable, sawnwood prices up

  • March 21, 2010
  • • Source: ITTO's Tropical Timber Market Report
  • • Views: 4429
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Over the period 16th – 28th Feb, prices for logs were relatively stable. However Greenheart standard sawmill quality logs and Purpleheart fair sawmill quality logs recorded price increases. There were also price movements for Mora logs.
Sawnwood prices have risen sharply especially for rough (Undressed) Greenheart select grade. The indications are that prices have reached an average of US$1,510 per cubic metre. Prices for rough sawn (Undressed) Mora have also jumped to as much as US$1,341 per cubic metre, a record high for the year thus far. Prices for other species such as rough sawn Red Cedar and Wamara also experienced favourable price trends over the period reported. For dressed lumber, both Greenheart and Purpleheart experienced a decrease in average prices for this fortnight period.

On the other hand, Baromalli Plywood recorded an increase in prices for both BB/CC and Utility categories. The main market for plywood from Guyana is the Caribbean countries and Suriname which at this point in time are experiencing a housing boom. Exports of value added products such as doors, mouldings and non timber forest products all contributed to export earnings. The Caribbean remains steadfast as the main destination for these products from Guyana.

US Forest Service assistance
In January 2010, aid and technical assistance in the forestry sector was discussed with a team of experts from the United States Forest Service (USFS). The USFS team met with representatives of the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) and the Forest Products Development and Marketing Council (FPDMC) representatives.
The USFS/ USAID team reportedly proposed a series of actions in key areas of forestry. In the interest of targeting sustainable development objectives in the forestry sector, the proposed actions were derived from broad areas in the annual work plans of both the GFC and FPDMC. The topics discussed included Fire Management; Geographical Information System (GIS); Remote Sensing; Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation Plus (REDD+); and the National Forest Inventory. Other areas examined for additional technical assistance comprised testing of lesser used species, capacity building in the areas of forest product development and marketing and promotion.

The parties agreed that priority areas for capacity building should be fire prevention and management, provision of remote sensing and liaison with other organizations. The testing of lesser used species for the purpose of making indoor furniture as well as training in wood technology and wood anatomy will also be addressed.

Malaysia Log Prices
Guyana Log Prices
Logs, FOB Georgetown
 SQ - $ Avg unit per m3
               
Std
Fair
Small
Greenheart
140-170
130-160
120-150
Purpleheart
200-230 170-210 150
Mora  
120-140 115-130 105-120
*Small SQ is used for piling in the USA and EU. Price depends on length.

Guyana Sawnwood Prices
Logs, FOB Georgetown
 $ Avg unit per m3
EU and US markets Undressed dressed
Greenheart




Prime
700 -
Standard
- 649-793
Select
575-1510
Sound
636
Merchantable
551
Purpleheart
Prime
-
-
Standard
-
700-806
Select
780
Sound
-

Mora
Prime
-


Select
500-1341

Sound
450

Merchantable
400



Guyana Baromalli
Plywood, FOB Georgetown Port
$ Avg unit val. per m3
Baromalli
BB/CC
5.5mm
No export


12mm
381-500

Utility
5.5mm
No export


12mm
355-445