Timber Supply Chain and Sector Overview
in Cameroon

Export markets by product

Data Table

Production and processing

Supply chain actors

The timber sector in Cameroon is structured around several key actors, from forest management and logging to processing and export markets. It is largely based on natural forests under public ownership, with different management and production models.

In 2023, according to the Ministry of Forests and Wildlife (MINFOF) statistical yearbook, Cameroon had 122 forest concessions, 73 communal forests, 127 small-scale logging permits (ventes de coupe), and 642 community forests (including both provisional and final titles).

These forest titles are managed by approximately 59 large international or national companies, around 46 medium-sized national companies, and about 38 rural municipalities owning and managing communal forests.

How the supply chain works

Supplier Verification 

For Cameroon, additional information on certain concession holders and forestry companies can be accessed through the Open Timber Portal (OTP):
https://opentimberportal.org/fr/operators?latitude=3.99&longitude=19.56&zoom=4.00

What the OTP provides:

• a transparency ranking of forestry companies based on voluntary disclosure of documents;
• access to key documents (harvesting titles, management plans, certificates, etc.);
• reports and observations published by NGOs and independent experts.

Important:
The OTP ranking does not constitute an assessment of compliance with the EUDR. It should be used as a supporting tool for risk analysis, not as proof of legality.

 Complementary approach (TRAFFIC / FODER guidance)

According to TRAFFIC and FODER guidance, supplier verification should go beyond consulting transparency platforms.

Operators are expected to:

1. Map the supply chain

Identify:

• all entities involved (permit holders, logging companies, transporters, processors, exporters);
• their locations (forest of origin, processing sites, export points);
• the products and species traded.

Objective: ensure traceability from the plot of origin to export

2. Verify document consistency

For each supplier, operators should systematically check:

• the signatory (competent authority);
• the date of issuance and validity period;
• the consistency of information across documents
  (species, volumes, permits, locations, operators);
• the presence of required visas or official stamps.

 Key takeaway

The use of transparency tools such as OTP is not sufficient on its own.
Supplier verification must combine:

• document analysis,
• consistency checks,
• and supply chain mapping.

Under the EUDR, operators remain responsible for conducting a full due diligence process, including risk assessment and risk mitigation.

Supply chain mapping and verification

According to TRAFFIC and FODER guidance, due diligence should not rely solely on collecting documents. Operators must map and verify the entire supply chain, from the forest of origin to export.

Supply chain mapping – practical approach

The first crucial step in assessing legality risks is to identify the origin of the material and all suppliers involved.

Mapping your supply chain allows you to:

• understand the origin and route of wood products;
• identify all actors involved at each stage (from forest to export);
• better assess risks linked to multiple suppliers or countries;
• verify the accuracy of supplier claims;
• strengthen confidence in the legality of timber and wood-based materials.

 Key questions to start

Operators should identify:

• Which products contain wood or wood-based materials?
• Who are your direct suppliers?
• Who are your suppliers’ suppliers (sub-suppliers) and where do they operate?

Key information to collect

For each product:

Supplier information

• Name, address, country
• Type of activity (e.g. sawmill, trader, processor)
• Certification (FSC, PEFC), if applicable

Product information

• Product description and type
• HS code (relevant for EUDR scope)
• Species (trade and scientific name)
• Quantity (volume, weight or units)
• Origin (country, and where relevant, sub-national region or forest concession)
• Product composition (mono-material or composite)

Document verification – key checks

For each document, verify:

• Signatory (competent authority)
• Date of issuance and validity period
• Consistency across documents (species, volumes, locations, operators)
• Presence of required stamps or visas

key risks to assess

• Risk of substitution (species replaced along the supply chain)
• Risk of mixing (materials from different sources combined)
• Inconsistent or incomplete documentation
• Lack of traceability to forest of origin

 Supporting tools

Operators can use:

• official administration databases
• independent reports
• Open Timber Portal (OTP) for supplier transparency

 Further guidance

For more detailed methodologies and practical tools on supply chain mapping and legality risk assessment, operators are encouraged to consult:

Preferred by Nature – https://www.preferredbynature.org/library/document/preferred-nature-dd-07-supply-chain-mapping-tool 

Good practices

• Map each product (and each component if relevant)
• Engage suppliers and sub-suppliers
• Update the supply chain mapping regularly
• Keep records for at least 5 years
• Focus on collecting relevant and verifiable documents