20.03.2026
Within the framework of the ASP Cameroon project, ATIBT, in collaboration with LCB and the Cameroon Timber Industries and Trade Union (UICCB), organized a field mission in Cameroon from 9 to 13 March 2026 bringing together representatives from several European timber market federations and a representative of Stichting Probos.
The mission aimed to strengthen dialogue between European import markets and Cameroonian producers, while providing participants with a better understanding of forest management practices, industrial processing, and timber supply chains from the Congo Basin to European markets.
The delegation included:
Meetings with timber companies in Douala
The visit began in Douala, Cameroon’s main economic hub and export gateway for timber products.
Participants met with several key companies in the sector, including SEEF, CUF, and ALPICAM, to discuss industrial processing, market dynamics, and export perspectives.
During the visit to ALPICAM, participants toured the veneer production facilities and discussed the different species processed, including Ayous, a key species for export markets. They also learned about the production process, quality grading, and international markets served by the company.
Discussions also addressed certification dynamics and the ongoing efforts by Cameroonian companies to meet international sustainability standards.
Discovering innovation in wood processing
In Yaoundé, the delegation visited the office of Dino et Fils, who owns a glued laminated timber production unit, an example of the development of higher value-added wood processing in Cameroon.
The meeting with the company’s management allowed participants to explore opportunities for innovation, diversification of timber products, and new construction applications using engineered wood products.
Immersion in sustainable forest management in Mindourou
The mission then continued to the East region of Cameroon, where participants visited operations in Mindourou, including forest management and industrial activities linked to ALPICAM.
The visit included:
Participants also discovered biodiversity monitoring initiatives and conservation measures implemented within forest concessions.
These field visits provided a concrete understanding of how sustainable forest management is implemented on the ground in the Congo Basin, from forest operations to processing and export.
Strengthening dialogue with European markets
The mission concluded in Yaoundé with a meeting at the Delegation of the European Union, bringing together the delegation and trade attachés from EU Member State embassies.
Discussions focused on the future of Cameroon–EU timber trade, market expectations regarding legality and sustainability, and the importance of strengthening cooperation between producers, importers, and institutions.
By facilitating direct exchanges between European market representatives and Cameroonian producers, these missions contribute to building trust and promoting sustainably produced timber from the Congo Basin on international markets.
