It is reported that there has been no significant upswing in European demand for African lumber in recent weeks. In the case of sapele and sipo, the low level of consumption can still largely be supplied from existing landed stocks.

While some efforts are being made by European importers to push through price increases for onward sales of these stocks to manufacturers and distributors, in many cases prices still fall short of replacement levels.

However, stocks of iroko in Europe are more limited and, in the absence of potential substitutes, importers have been better placed to force through price increases for this species.