According to the above data, the roundwood production in Lesotho is very low and most of it is used as fuelwood. It is estimated that the fuelwood consumption exceed sustainable use levels especially when one compares the FAO figures with the actual figures from LEMP. Afforestation is considered the only realistic means of attempting to meet future rural/urban energy needs.
Apparently, Rural Energy use figures from LEMP are low as compared to urban household woodfuel consumption e.g. 1991 – urban 1,273,103 cum and 1991 rural – 1,223,374 cum (NB The factor used for calculating trends is 2.6% which is also an annual growth rate).
Almost all sawnwood and other industrial forest products are imported. Sawn timber is used for supporting the roofs of most new houses. Poles are still used for new and re roofed rondavels and fencing.
There are no exports of forest products. According to the 1993 national trade statistics, the value of imported wood and wood articles was M73 600 000.
