HS Code:
Obeche, also known as Ayous (Triplochiton spp.), is a tropical hardwood primarily found in West and Central Africa. It falls under the HS Code 4407.29, which covers wood sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled, whether or not planed, sanded, or end-jointed, of a thickness exceeding 6 mm, specifically for tropical woods. Obeche is valued for its light weight, pale color, and ease of working, making it popular for furniture, interior joinery, and plywood production. It is often used as a substitute for other light woods in applications requiring low density and good stability.
Total Trade Volume
Approximately 150,000 cubic meters
Data from 2022
Source
International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) and UN Comtrade Database
60,000 cubic meters
40% of total trade
Increasing
30,000 cubic meters
20% of total trade
Stable
25,000 cubic meters
17% of total trade
Decreasing
20,000 cubic meters
13% of total trade
Increasing
15,000 cubic meters
10% of total trade
Stable
Average Rate
5-10% ad valorem
Highest Rate
20% (in certain South Asian markets)
Lowest Rate
0% (under free trade agreements like EU-ACP Cotonou Agreement)
Growing demand in Europe for sustainable tropical timber
Increased exports to EU countries with stringent environmental regulations, pushing African exporters to adopt certification standards
2021-2022
Shift towards value-added products
Decline in raw log exports due to local processing policies, with a rise in sawn timber and veneer exports
2020-2022
Competition from alternative materials
Substitution by engineered wood and synthetic materials in some applications, affecting demand in price-sensitive markets
2019-2022
Cameroon introduced stricter export controls on raw Obeche logs to encourage domestic processing, requiring exporters to demonstrate value addition.
March 2023
Short-term reduction in raw log exports, potential increase in sawn timber prices
The EU's new deforestation regulation mandates traceability for tropical timber imports, including Obeche, to ensure they are deforestation-free.
June 2023
Increased compliance costs for exporters but potential market access benefits for certified suppliers
Ghana advanced its implementation of the VPA under the Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) initiative, facilitating Obeche exports to Europe.
September 2022
Improved market access to EU with FLEGT-licensed timber, boosting trade volumes