# African lumber, a world of opportunities for the US market

Jean Gérard, Paul Cuveillier, Emmanuel Groutel

► To cite this version:

Jean Gérard, Paul Cuveillier, Emmanuel Groutel. African lumber, a world of opportunities for the US market. Webinaire ATIBT en collaboration avec l'IWPA, ATIBT; IWPA, Mar 2024, s.l., France. 2 p. hal-05182313

HAL Id: hal-05182313

https://hal.science/hal-05182313v1

Submitted on 23 Jul 2025

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# African lumber, a world of opportunities for the US market.

March, 14, 2024

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Meet Todays' Panelists

<figure><img src="image_5.png" /><figcaption>Jean Gerard, PHD
Technical lead
CIRAD /ATIBT</figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="image_6.png" /><figcaption>Paul Cuveillier, MS
Technical Associate
ATIBT</figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="image_7.png" /><figcaption>Emmanuel Groutel, PHD
Economist
WALE/ATIBT</figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="image_8.png" /></figure>
# African Tropical Sawn Hardwood flows

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West and Central Africa

In West Africa, mainly:

* Côte d'Ivoire

* Ghana

In Central Africa, mainly:

* Cameroon

* Rep Congo

* Gabon
# Sawn wood imports in the USA (reminder 1) :
softwood vs hardwood

<figure><img src="image_11.png" /></figure>

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<figure><img src="image_12.png" /></figure>

From FAO Stats
# Sawn wood imports in the USA (reminder 2) : hardwood (all) vs tropical hardwood

<figure><img src="image_13.png" /></figure>

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m³

Sawn hardwood vs sawn tropical hardwood imports in the USA

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# Tropical sawn hardwood imports in the USA

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From FAO Stats & ITTO
USA tropical sawn hardwood suppliers

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<figure><img src="image_18.png" /><figcaption>The 10 main tropical sawn hardwood exporting countries (2023)</figcaption></figure>

From FAO Stats & ITTO
<figure><img src="image_19.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_20.png" /><figcaption>## Sawn wood exports variations between 2022 and 2023 for the 4 mains African exporting countries</figcaption></figure>
# The main African timber species imported by the USA (1)

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<table><thead><tr><td>Pilot name</td><td>Botanical name</td><td>Main uses</td></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>African Mahogany / Acajou d'Afrique</td><td>Khaya anthotheca<br>Khaya grandifoliola<br>Khaya ivorensis</td><td>Ship building, cabinetry, veneer (sliced or peeled), high-end furniture, interior fittings...</td></tr><tr><td>Sapele / Sapelli</td><td>Entandrophragma cylindricum</td><td>Ship building, cabinetry, veneer (sliced or peeled), high-end furniture, interior fittings, stairs (inside)…<br>A good alternative to Red grandis (more stable!)</td></tr><tr><td>Utile / Sipo</td><td>Entandrophragma utile</td><td>Ship building, cabinetry, veneer (sliced or peeled), high-end furniture, interior fittings, stairs (inside)...</td></tr></tbody></table>
# The main African timber species imported by the USA (2)

<figure><img src="image_22.png" /></figure>

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<table><thead><tr><td>Pilot name</td><td>Botanical name</td><td>Main usage</td></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Aningeria / Aniégré</td><td>Chrysophyllum giganteum, Pouteria altissima, Pouteria pierrei, Pouteria superba, Pouteria p.p.</td><td>Cabinetry, veneer (sliced or peeled), high-end furniture, interior fittings, interior joinery, moulding...</td></tr><tr><td>Iroko</td><td>Milicia excelsa<br>Milicia regia</td><td>Ship building, veneer (sliced or peeled), exterior joinery, stairs, decking, flooring, cooperage...</td></tr><tr><td>Afrormosia</td><td>Pericopsis elata</td><td>Ship building, sliced veneer, exterior/interior joinery, stairs, decking, flooring, cabinetry, cooperage...<br>A good alternative to Teak</td></tr></tbody></table>
# The main African timber species imported by the USA (3)

<figure><img src="image_23.png" /></figure>

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<table><thead><tr><th>Pilot name</th><th>Botanical name</th><th>Main usage</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Ekki / Azobé</td><td>Lophira alata</td><td>Hydraulic works (fresh and sea water), heavy construction, bridges (parts in contact with water or Ground), sleepers...<br>A good alternative to Greenheart</td></tr><tr><td>Cedro (from plantations in Western Africa)</td><td>Cedrela odorata, C. angustifolia, C. fissilis</td><td>Shingles, cigar boxes, ship building (planking and deck), cabinetry (high-end furniture), boxes and crates, veneer (sliced or peeled), musical instruments, sculpture, marquetry</td></tr></tbody></table>
## Type of timber and related applications

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Heavy timber species with high natural durability (resistance to decay) for heavy outdoor applications

(alternative to Ipé, Cumaru)

## Timber species

* Missanda / Tali (Erythrophleum guineense, E. ivorense, E. suaveolens)

* Bilinga (Nauclea diderrichii, N. gilletii, N. xanthoxylon)

* Niové (Staudtia kamerunensis)

* Mukulungu (Autranella congolensis)

* Okan (Cylicodiscus gabunensis)

* Padouk (Pterocarpus soyauxii, P. osun)
  THEN

* Kanda (Beilschmiedia p.p.)

* Monghinza (Manilkara mabokeensis, M. obovata)

* Osanga (Pteleopsis hylodendron, P. myrtifolia)
# African timber species for the future (2)

<figure><img src="image_25.png" /></figure>

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## Type of timber and related applications

<figure><img src="image_26.png" /></figure>

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Light to medium-heavy timber species with medium to good natural durability (resistance to decay) for joinery (outdoor/indoor)

(for some of them, possible alternative to Sapele, Utile...)

## Timber species

* **Kosipo** (*Entandrophragma candollei*)

* **Dibétou** (*Lovoa swynnertonii*, L. trichilioides)

* **Gombé** (*Didelotia africana*, D. brevipaniculata, D. idae, D. letouzeyi, *Didelotia p.p*)

### THEN

* **Kanda** (*Beilschmiedia p.p.*)

* **Dahoma / Dabéma** (*Piptadeniastrum africanum*)

* **Lati** (*Amphimas ferrugineus*, A. pterocarpoides)

* **Mambodé / Amouk** (*Detarium macrocarpum*, D. senegalense)

* **Lotofa** (*Sterculia rhinopetala*)
# African timber species for the future (3)

<figure><img src="image_28.png" /></figure>

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## Type of timber and related applications

<figure><img src="image_29.png" /></figure>

Light timber species for interior joinery and interior fittings

## Timber species

- **Obeche / Ayous (Triplochiton scleroxylon)**

- **Afara / Limba (Terminalia superba)**
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## Type of timber and related applications

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Timber species meant for decoration (with veins and figures and attractive aspect)

## Timber species

- Wengé (Millettia laurentii, M. stuhlmannii)

- Zebrano / Zingana (Microberlinia bisulcata, M. brazzavillensis)

- Awoura (Julbernardia pellegriniana)

- Scented Guarea / Bossé clair (Guarea cedrata, G. laurentii, Guarea p.p.): pleasant smell, alternative to Cedro
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What about Okoumé ?

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© R. Garrigue
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Okoumé (Aucoumea klaineana), an emblematic Central African species.

* Abundantly available in Central Africa (especially Gabon, but also Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea).

* Easy to dry and glue

* Ideal for peeling, but can also be used for sawn timber.

* Glued products such as 3-ply squares in full expansion

<figure><img src="image_35.png" /><figcaption>Okoumé (quarter sawn)</figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="image_36.png" /></figure>
# African timber species for the future (2)

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<figure><img src="image_37.png" /></figure>

## Okan

<figure><img src="image_38.png" /></figure>

* High resistance to decay

* High mechanical properties
  (specific gravity: 0,91)

* For outdoor applications: decking, hydraulic works, sleepers, bridges (parts in contact with water or ground) ...

<figure><img src="image_39.png" /></figure>

alternative to Ipè, Cumaru...

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© Bois et Loisirs, Croix (France)
# African timber species for the future (3)

<figure><img src="image_41.png" /></figure>

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<figure><img src="image_42.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_43.png" /></figure>

Niové

* High resistance to decay

* High mechanical properties
  (specific gravity: 0,88)

* For outdoor applications: decking,
  ship building (planking and deck),
  heavy flooring, poles...

<figure><img src="image_44.png" /></figure>

alternative to Ipè, Cumaru...

<figure><img src="image_45.png" /></figure>

© E. Groutel / WALE
# African timber species for the future (4)

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<figure><img src="image_46.png" /><figcaption>## Missanda / Tali</figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="image_47.png" /></figure>

* High resistance to decay

* High mechanical properties
  (specific gravity: 0,90)

* For outdoor applications: decking, flooring, bridges (parts in contact with water or ground), heavy carpentry ...

* alternative to Ipè, Cumaru...

<figure><img src="image_48.png" /></figure>

© J.Y. Riaux
# African timber species for the future (5)

<figure><img src="image_49.png" /></figure>

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<figure><img src="image_50.png" /><figcaption>## Kosipo</figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="image_51.png" /></figure>

* Good to medium resistance to decay

* Medium mechanical properties (specific gravity: 0,69)

* For joinery (indoor/outdoor), veneer (sliced, peeled), flooring, interior fittings...

<figure><img src="image_52.png" /></figure>

alternative to Sapele, Utile...

<figure><img src="image_53.png" /></figure>

© Interholco
# Why choose African timber ?

* ✓ Availability Tropical Africa

5.4 million hectares (= 2.2 million acres) FSC* or PAFC* eco-certified

Between 1 million and 1.5 million m³ of roundwood per year

* ✓ Lacey Act compliant

* ✓ Logistics

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* ✓ Disponibility: Supply is guaranteed for a large range of species

* ✓ Diversity: large number of species available (several hundred), abundant quantity for many of them, all possible uses are covered
Technical data and information
on tropical timber (1)

<figure><img src="image_58.png" /></figure>

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Guide
pratique

Tropical Timber Atlas

<figure><img src="image_59.png" /></figure>

https://www.itto.int/files/itto_project_db_input/3028/Technical/E-TMT-SDP-010-12-R1-M-Tropical%20Timber%20Atlas.pdf
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# Technical data and information on tropical timber (2)

<figure><img src="image_61.png" /></figure>

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English

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## TROPIX-WEB

Technological characteristics and uses of 300 tropical or temperate timber species

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cirad

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CollEx-Persée

### Quick search

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Common name

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Botanical name

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Local name

Quick search

ADVANCED SEARCH

SHOW ALL SPECIES

Designed and produced as part of the [NumBois](https://numbois.org/) project funded by the GIS CollEx-Persée, the Tropix-web site offers three main functionalities:

* Direct consultation of data and technological information on 300 tropical or temperate woods.

* Multi-criteria interrogation of species from pre-selected characteristics.

* Printing of technical data sheets essentially containing the data and information that can be consulted on the site.

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Additional resources

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POUR UNE GESTION DURABLE DES FORÊTS TROPICALES

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FAIR &
PRECIOUS

BY

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For more information: Nathalie.Bouville@atibt.org
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THANK YOU

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