Guyana’s log exports to China continue to increase despite a government policy to ensure value-added exports.
From the start of this year to the end of July, exports to Beijing were 5% higher than the 2007 figure for the corresponding period, according to a report by the International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO).

Additionally, greater volumes of sawn lumber are being exported and at higher prices, the report pointed out. 
The ITTO said that log exports recorded for July were 11% greater by volume than the combined total for May and June, 2008. It attributed the 5% rise to an increase in consumption of Wamara logs in the Chinese market and noted that this year the export volume of Wamara logs was 48% greater than that of the same period last year, with July’s volume exceeding a previous high by more than 42%. “This trends also indicates an increasing demand for Wamara logs in the Chinese market since August 2007”, the report said.

Meanwhile, the report stated that from the beginning of this year up to July, sawn lumber exports have increased 18% by volume and 26% by value from the same period last year. The prime destination for sawn wood for July was The Netherlands with the dominant export being Wamara, the report noted.

Meanwhile, the latter part of July’s round-wood exports was up by more than four times the earlier portion of that month’s figure. “This alone contributes to approximately 15% of all roundwood exports for the year, owing to a higher demand for greenheart piles from the US. Plywood exports by volume, on the other hand, are showing some signs of improvement from the combined results for May and June levels, with the US being the primary destination for exports”, the report said.

The ITTO report noted an announcement by the government here in July that the export commission on logs would be increased, beginning next year. Later at a press conference, Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud, had said that production in the forestry sector had been “a bit slow” in the first half of this year but stated that this is expected to pick up within the next few months.