Moabi is one of the finest red-brown hardwoods to come out of Central Africa. It is dense, hard, fine-textured and durable, with a calm, even grain that polishes to a silky finish. Flooring companies, stair makers, furniture factories and joiners use it for premium work where sapele would be too soft or too lively in figure. Because supply is limited and the wood is valued highly, buyers often ask us about the moabi wood price, what drives it and whether it is worth paying more than for other red woods.
In this guide we give typical FOB prices per cubic metre, explain how grade, size, drying and supply affect the cost, work out a flooring price per square metre, and compare moabi with sapele, makore and other options. All prices are indicative starting points from our own quotes at Global Timber Trade Hub, where we supply moabi sawn in Cameroon and Gabon.
In short
- Kiln-dried sawn moabi starts from about $1,100 per m³ FOB.
- Wide, long FAS boards and thick stair stock cost more.
- Supply is limited and closely regulated, so plan orders early.
- Moabi is not CITES listed, but it is rated Vulnerable by the IUCN.
- Flooring in 20 mm boards costs roughly $25–35 per m² FOB in board value.
- It is harder and more durable than sapele, which often justifies the extra cost.
Typical moabi prices
| Product | Typical spec | Indicative price (USD, FOB) |
|---|---|---|
| Sawn boards, KD | FAS, 27–52 mm, random widths and lengths | from $1,100 per m³ |
| Wide and long boards | FAS, 200 mm+ wide, 3 m+ long | from about $1,300 per m³ |
| Thick stock | 65–100 mm for stair treads and tops | from about $1,250 per m³ |
| Flooring blanks | Short and narrow boards, KD | below standard board price |
These are starting points. Your price depends on the exact specification, volume, season and stock. For the full range of species, see our African hardwood prices guide.
What is moabi?
Moabi (Baillonella toxisperma) is a very large tree of the rainforests of Cameroon, Gabon, the Republic of Congo and Equatorial Guinea. Its trunk can exceed two metres in diameter. The heartwood is pinkish brown when cut and darkens to a deep, warm red-brown with exposure to light. Its texture is fine and even, and its grain is usually straight or slightly interlocked, giving a calm, luxurious surface. The tree is also important to local communities, who collect its seeds to make a cooking oil, and this social value is one reason harvesting is carefully controlled. Read more in our moabi wood guide.
Why moabi costs more than sapele
Moabi sits above sapele on price for three main reasons. First, it is harvested in much smaller volumes, because the trees are scattered, slow growing and protected by local rules that limit felling near villages. Second, it is denser and harder, so sawing and drying take longer and cost more. Third, demand from premium flooring and furniture buyers in Europe and Asia is steady, and there is no easy substitute with the same combination of hardness, durability and fine texture. When supply is tight, prices rise faster than for common species.
Grade and price
FAS boards, with long, clear cuttings and few defects, cost the most. Lower grades with small defects or shorter lengths cost less and work well for flooring, stair parts and furniture components, where boards are cut into short pieces anyway. Because moabi logs are large, even lower grades often contain long, clear sections, so check photos of the parcel before deciding. Our hardwood lumber grades guide explains the common grading rules.
Thickness, width and length
Standard thicknesses such as 27, 32, 40 and 52 mm are cut routinely and offer the best value. Thick stock of 65 mm or more, used for stair treads, worktops and table tops, needs better logs and longer drying, so it carries a premium. Wide boards over 200 mm and long lengths over 3 m are also more expensive, but moabi’s large logs make them more available than in many species. If your project can use random widths and lengths, you will get a lower price per cubic metre.
Drying and moisture content
Moabi is dense and dries slowly. Rushing the kiln causes checking and internal stress, so good mills dry it gently, which adds time and energy cost. For flooring, furniture and stairs, order kiln-dried timber at 8–12% moisture content depending on the destination climate. For exterior joinery, 12–16% is common. Kiln-dried moabi costs more than air-dried, but the stability you get is worth it for interior work. See kiln dried vs air dried lumber.
Moabi flooring price per square metre
Flooring buyers usually think in square metres. As a rough guide, one cubic metre of 20 mm thick boards covers about 40 m² of finished floor once machining losses and waste are taken into account. At about $1,100–1,300 per m³ FOB for suitable grades, that gives a board cost of roughly $27–33 per m² FOB. Using shorter, narrower boards for strip flooring can lower the cost further. Add freight, duties, milling, finishing and installation to get the full project cost. See our tropical hardwood flooring guide.
Moabi for stairs and worktops
Stair treads and worktops are where moabi’s hardness pays off most. A moabi stair stays smart for decades in a busy home or hotel, and a moabi worktop resists dents and wear better than sapele. These uses need thick, wide stock, so expect to pay toward the upper end of the price range. A typical straight domestic staircase needs around 0.4–0.6 m³ of rough timber, so the timber cost is a modest part of the total project. See best wood for stairs and best wood for kitchen worktops.
How moabi compares on price
| Species | From (USD/m³, FOB) | Main strength |
|---|---|---|
| Sapele | $850 | Good value, ribbon figure |
| Iroko | $950 | Durable, golden brown |
| Makore | $1,000 | Fine texture, mottled figure |
| Moabi | $1,100 | Hard, durable, calm grain |
| Doussie | $1,350 | Outstanding stability |
If moabi is out of stock or over budget, makore is the closest in look and texture, and sapele is the best-value red-brown wood. Read moabi vs sapele for a detailed comparison.
From FOB to landed cost
Our prices are FOB at a Central African port such as Douala or Libreville. On top, you will pay sea freight, insurance, destination port and terminal charges, customs clearance, any duties and taxes, and delivery to your site. On many routes this adds 15–30% to the FOB value. Moabi weighs around 800–850 kg per cubic metre when dry, so a 20 ft container usually reaches its weight limit before it is full. A 40 ft container or a mixed load with lighter species often gives a better freight cost per cubic metre. See timber shipping cost.
Supply and lead times
Moabi stock comes in small parcels compared with sapele or okoume, and availability can change from month to month. Kiln-dried boards are usually ready to load in 6–10 weeks, but special sizes or larger volumes may take longer. For regular needs, such as a flooring factory using a container every quarter, agreeing a rolling plan helps us reserve suitable logs and keep prices steadier.
Legal status
Moabi is not listed by CITES at the time of writing, but it is rated Vulnerable by the IUCN and its harvest is regulated in producing countries. Buyers in the EU must meet due diligence and EU deforestation regulation requirements, and US buyers must comply with the Lacey Act. Ask for documents showing legal origin and, where available, certification. See our sustainability page.
Beware of substitutes
Several red-brown species can look like moabi in photos. If a price seems far below the usual market, ask for the botanical name on all documents, close-up photos of end grain and surfaces, and an independent inspection before shipment. See timber inspection before shipment.
Working costs
Moabi contains silica, which dulls cutting edges faster than many hardwoods. Carbide tooling is strongly recommended, and planers and saws should be kept sharp. Its fine dust can irritate the nose and throat, so good extraction is essential. Include tooling and dust control in your budget, especially for large production runs. In return, you get a surface that sands and polishes beautifully.
Is moabi worth the price?
For floors, stairs, worktops and furniture that must look good for decades, moabi offers excellent value. Its hardness reduces dents and wear, its durability allows exterior use, and its calm, deep colour suits premium interiors. If your project is mainly painted or hidden joinery, cheaper species make more sense. If it is a showpiece that people will touch and walk on every day, moabi earns its place.
How to get the best moabi price
- Accept random widths and lengths where your design allows.
- Use lower grades or shorts for flooring and small parts.
- Combine moabi with lighter species in one container.
- Order early, as stock is limited.
- Share your annual needs so we can plan supply.
Common mistakes
- Expecting large volumes at short notice: moabi comes in small parcels.
- Comparing quotes on different specifications: grade, size and drying change price.
- Using standard steel tooling: silica dulls it quickly.
- Ignoring container weight: dense timber fills a box by weight first.
Our honest advice
Moabi is a premium red hardwood at a fair price for what it delivers. Choose it for floors, stairs, worktops and fine furniture, plan your order around limited supply, and compare landed costs on the same specification. If budget is tight, consider makore or sapele for less demanding parts and keep moabi for the surfaces that take the most wear.
Sources
Related guides
Frequently asked questions about moabi wood price
How much does moabi cost per cubic metre?
Kiln-dried sawn moabi starts from about $1,100 per m³ FOB, more for wide boards and thick stock.
Why is moabi more expensive than sapele?
It is harder, denser and more durable, and supply is much more limited.
Is moabi CITES listed?
No, not at the time of writing, but it is rated Vulnerable and closely regulated.
How much is moabi flooring per square metre?
Roughly $27–33 per m² FOB in board value for 20 mm boards, before freight and installation.
Get a moabi price
Send us your specification, volume and destination through our quote form. We will reply with a firm price and lead time.