The Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) discusses that the demand for legal timber is still low in Cameroon, but this might change in the coming years. A recent research conducted by CIFOR shows a growing number of consumers looking for legal and sustainable products in the domestic timber market in Cameroon.
This is one of the few studies that have analysed less economically developed countries’ consumer concerns about legality and sustainability. Most organizations target timber demands from developed countries and promote implementing legal instruments and public policies.
“In the absence of demand, it is difficult to convince sellers to offer legal products. For them, the cost of production and thus the final price of legal products would be higher”, says Raphaël Tsanga, CIFOR Scientist.
The results show that in the medium term, rising incomes of consumers and changes in the price of timber could influence choices and encourage demand for products of legal or sustainable origin.
The Public and Private Demand for Sawn Timber of Legal Origin in Cameroon (ESSOR) project advocates to adopt public procurement policies; to consider sourcing in companies’ corporate social responsibility; and to conduct public campaigns to raise awareness.
