By CHATULA KANGALI –

THE price of timber has increased by about K15 due to the increase in demand of the product on the market in the last one month.
Saw millers in the country are now selling a 150 by 50 cubic meters rod at K75 which previously sold between K56 and K60.
Zambia National Association of Saw Millers (ZNAS) general secretary Chris Muhango said in an interview that the increase in the price for timber on the market was due to the increase in demand for the
product.
“Government has awarded companies contraction for construction works. We have seen an increase in demand of the product. The prices of timber have been low because the price is determined for us by the market,” he said.
Mr Muhango said the demand for timber was high and that saw millers had difficulties in sustaining the market because of low production due to power cuts.
He said saw millers were operating on half production because power was cut every day for about eight hours.
“ We have no problem with ZAFFICO , the company has continued  to supply us with  enough  wood. The only problem we  have is processing it. Saw millers are unable to meet daily target because of power cuts,” he said.
Mr Muhango added that saw millers were lobbying for land from Government that would allow them start growing plants for timber production.
He said association had partnered with local carpenters with the help of Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) to start manufacturing finished timber products for export.