Producers in West and Central Africa are generally optimistic that the present stable market conditions will be maintained through the third quarter. The improving demand could deliver an opportunity for FOB prices increase especially for the favoured species such as okoume.

Okume sawnwood is currently in high demand in almost every market sector except Europe. A major okoume plywood manufacturer in Gabon has plans to increase production now that it has a more secure supply of peeler logs, an arrangement brokered by OLAM with Rougier.

As of mid June there was no news of how the Gabon government will address the sale of kevazingo logs and sawnwood. The kevazingo harvesting ban remains in place.