State of the timber sector in Central African Republic 2016
The Central African Republic (CAR) has a total land area of 623,000 km2 of which close to 23 million hectares, i.e. 37%, is composed of forested lands. In the southwestern part of the country all forest operations are industrial. At present there are 11 logging companies, with an average annual production of close to 400,000 m3. Exports of logs and sawn timber are, respectively, close to 160,000 m3 and 40,000 m3. The timber sector accounts for 11% of the GDP and 13% of the country’s export earnings. The main destinations of CAR timber are Europe (47%) and Asia (49%). In 2012, the Central African Republic concluded a Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) with the European Union (EU) on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) in timber and derived products exported to the EU.