The Global Timber Index (GTI) Report for August 2025 revealed that while most countries remained in contraction territory, African countries demonstrated growth momentum this month. The GTI for Ghana stood at 60.5%, marking the eighth consecutive month above the 50% critical value. The GTI for Gabon reached 52.6%, rising above the critical value after months of subdued performance. However, the GTIs for Thailand (45.2%) and Brazil (30.5%) fell back into contraction territory after short-term growth, and the readings for the Republic of the Congo (41.9%,), Mexico (35.4%), and Malaysia (26.1%) remained in contraction territory. As to China, its GTI was at 50.8%, with both production and export orders showing slight growth compared to the previous month.

This month, challenges reported by GTI sample companies centered on tariff policies, weak market demand, financial pressures, etc. Recent U.S. tariff policies had impacted many regions around the world, particularly in South American countries, where businesses had become more reliant on domestic markets and some were taking a wait-and-see approach toward international trade. In the meantime, insufficient orders and weak demand was a common issue reported by sample enterprises in all GTI pilot countries in Asia. In Africa, main concerns included financial pressures, logistics, fuel, among others. 

In terms of sustainable forest management, Ghana will officially begin exporting Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) licensed timber to the European market on October 8, 2025, marking the end of a 16-year journey to reform Ghana’s forest governance, improve timber legality systems, and promote sustainable trade. On August 19, the Congolese government signed a long-term lease agreement with Aforest-Congo to launch an ecological afforestation project spanning over 100,000 hectares, aiming to combat climate change through reforestation, develop forest carbon sinks to generate carbon credits, and promote wood processing. Meanwhile, countries like Mexico continue to leverage technology in their reforestation efforts — for example, in Michoacan, drones are being used to disperse tree seeds and reforest burned forests. 

GTI Report - August 2025.pdf