The National Directorate of Forests announced this Monday, August 4th, a sharp decline in the number of active forest operators in the country, which fell from 699 in 2015 to 369 in 2024, representing a 47.2% decrease, according to the 2024 Technical Assessment Report on Forest Operators in Mozambique, presented in Maputo.
The assessment revealed that, of 474 operators evaluated in 2024, only 369 are currently operating, while 36 have ceased operations. The main reason cited for this significant decline is the lack of market demand and the probable scarcity of forest resources in some of the concession areas.
The impact of this contraction is also reflected in job losses within the sector. Between 2021 and 2024, the number of workers in Forest Concessions (FC) dropped from 5,193 to 2,742, and in Simple Licences (SL) from 6,664 to 2,933. In total, 11,857 people were employed in forestry operations in 2021, but by 2024 that number had fallen to 5,675, meaning 6,182 workers lost their jobs.
The Vice-President of the Mozambican Federation of Timber Operators (FEDEMOMA), António da Silva, described the sector as “fainting,” due to the absence of effective public policies, claiming that many operators are still waiting for licenses to be issued by provincial authorities. He also criticized the lack of reference prices for timber sales, a situation that allows buyers to dictate prices, making the activity “unsustainable.”
Da Silva also denounced the exclusion of national forestry operators from public works projects, stating that the State prefers to buy furniture made from pressed wood imported from China, rather than using locally sourced timber, even though the latter is of better quality. “This happens because the buyers receive commissions,” he accused.
Regarding the community-based management of forest resources, the leader said the relationship between operators and local communities is unhealthy, as 20% of the fees charged to operators are not being channeled to the communities, as required by current legislation.
Source: Diário Económico
