Global prices for forest products exported by the six member states of the
Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) rose 2.9% between the fourth quarter of 2025 and the first quarter of 2026, according to the Composite Commodity Price Index published by the Bank of Central African States (BEAC).
The increase marks an acceleration from the 1.5% gain recorded in the previous quarter. According to the regional central bank, the rise was driven mainly by higher prices for logs, or unprocessed
timber. As of the end of March 2026, global log prices were up 23.5% from the previous quarter, compared with a 12.2% increase for sawn timber. Despite the stronger prices, logs are gradually losing importance in the export mix of CEMAC countries as the region prepares to ban log exports by no later than 2028.
In Cameroon, for example, logs accounted for 4% of total exports in 2023, down from 8% in 2019, according to a midterm review of the country's 2020-2030 National Development Strategy published by the Ministry of Economy. The trend reflects a broader strategy pursued by CEMAC member states and the Democratic Republic of Congo to expand domestic wood processing and capture more value locally.
As part of that effort, the countries plan to permanently end exports of unprocessed logs by 2028 at the latest.
