Gabon’s Forest and Timber Sector Struggles with Production Decline Amidst Global Challenges. LIBREVILLE, Gabon – Gabon’s forestry and timber sector has experienced a significant downturn in the fourth quarter of 2025, with a 40. 3% decrease in raw material production and a 6% reduction in industrial activity, according to the Note de conjoncture sectorielle published by the Direction générale de l’Économie et de la Politique fiscale (DGEPF).
The decline has been attributed to persistent climatic challenges and logistical hurdles, including limited access to forest areas during the rainy season and insufficient wagons to transport raw materials to processing facilities.
The DGEPF noted that the overall production for the year 2025 would see a 8. 2% decrease, largely due to a less dynamic demand, particularly in the Zone d’investissements spéciale (ZIS) of Nkok.
In the timber industry, the quarterly decline of 23. 7% was attributed to the loss of market share for Gabonese wood, affected by the real estate crisis in China and increased competition from Brazilian pine, which is sold at half the price of okoumé. Despite a slight increase in sawing activity (+1.
5%) during the fourth quarter, supported by domestic and export orders and better stock management, the annual production of sawn timber fell by 28. 3%.
The reduction in plywood production was 11. 6% in the fourth quarter, mainly due to insufficient raw material supply, weak demand, and electrical disruptions.
The particleboard sector saw a 3. 4% decrease in the fourth quarter but recorded a 2. 9% annual increase.
The challenges faced by Gabon’s forest and timber sector reflect broader economic trends and global challenges affecting the extractive and forestry sectors.
The country’s efforts to promote local processing and combat illegal logging have inadvertently led to a decrease in production and exports, raising concerns about the sustainability of the sector.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 4*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: Agpgabon
Source: Redaction
