Okan, also traded as denya, is one of the hardest-working timbers in Central Africa. It is very dense, very durable and strong, and it goes into decks, bridges, railway sleepers, crane mats, marine works and heavy industrial floors. Because it offers durability close to the most famous heavy hardwoods at a moderate price, contractors and importers increasingly ask us about the okan wood price and how it compares with azobe, tali and ipe.
In this guide we give typical FOB prices per cubic metre for the main okan products, explain what pushes the price up or down, show how weight affects container loads and freight, and work out a decking price per square metre. Prices are indicative starting points from our own quotes at Global Timber Trade Hub, where we supply okan sawn in Cameroon, Gabon and the Republic of Congo.
In short
- Sawn okan starts from about $650 per m³ FOB for standard sections.
- Kiln-dried decking, long beams and special sizes cost more.
- Okan is not CITES listed, which keeps paperwork simple.
- It is very heavy, so containers fill by weight before volume.
- Decking in 21 mm boards costs roughly $20–25 per m² FOB in board value.
- It offers heavy-hardwood durability at a mid-range price.
Typical okan prices
| Product | Typical spec | Indicative price (USD, FOB) |
|---|---|---|
| Sawn sections, AD or fresh | Standard boards and beams | from $650 per m³ |
| Decking boards, KD | 21–28 × 145 mm, smooth or ribbed | from about $850 per m³ |
| Long structural beams | 150 × 300 mm and up, 6 m+ | from about $800 per m³ |
| Railway sleepers | Standard sleeper sizes | from about $700 per m³ |
| Crane mat timbers | 200 × 200 mm and up | from about $700 per m³ |
These are starting points that vary with specification, volume and stock. See our African hardwood prices list for other species.
What is okan?
Okan (Cylicodiscus gabunensis) is a large tree of the forests of Cameroon, Gabon, the Republic of Congo, Nigeria and Ghana. Its heartwood is yellow-brown to golden brown when cut and darkens to a deeper brown with a greenish tinge in some boards. It is extremely dense, around 900–950 kg per cubic metre when dry, with interlocked grain and a coarse texture. It is naturally very durable, resisting fungi and insects in ground and water contact. Read our okan wood guide for full details.
Why okan is good value
Okan’s price sits between common species such as sapele and premium heavy timbers such as doussie. It is available in good volumes, it is not CITES listed, and large, straight logs give long sections with good yield. At the same time, it delivers strength and durability that suit the toughest outdoor jobs. For buyers who used to rely on azobe or ipe, okan often gives similar performance in many uses at a lower or similar cost, with steadier supply.
What drives the okan price up
- Kiln drying: dense okan dries slowly; kiln-dried decking costs more than air-dried sections.
- Machining: profiled decking, planed beams and pre-drilled parts add cost.
- Long lengths: beams over 6 m need selected logs.
- Large cross-sections: very large beams and mats need bigger logs and more care.
- Tight tolerances: exact sizes for structural work need more checking.
What brings it down
- Accepting random lengths and standard sizes.
- Ordering air-dried or fresh-sawn timber for outdoor structures.
- Ordering full containers rather than part loads.
- Planning ahead so mills can cut your sizes in normal production.
Weight and container loading
Okan’s density is both its strength and its main logistics challenge. A cubic metre of fresh-sawn okan can weigh over a tonne. A 20 ft container usually reaches its weight limit at roughly 18–22 m³ of okan, depending on moisture content and the shipping line’s limits, well below its volume capacity. A 40 ft container carries more, but road and line weight limits still apply. This means freight per cubic metre is higher than for light species. Plan the load with us, and consider mixing okan with lighter timber to use the space better. See how much timber fits in a 40 ft container.
Okan decking price per square metre
For 21 × 145 mm decking boards, one cubic metre covers roughly 40–45 m² of deck once gaps and waste are allowed for. At around $850–950 per m³ FOB for kiln-dried decking, the board cost is about $19–24 per m² FOB. Thicker 28 mm boards for commercial decks cover less area and cost more per square metre. Add freight, duties, substructure, fixings and installation to get the full cost. Our hardwood decking cost guide has worked examples.
Okan for sleepers, bridges and mats
For railway sleepers, okan is a well-proven species in Europe and Africa, valued for its strength and resistance to decay. For bridges and boardwalks, it is used for beams, decks and rails. For crane mats and outrigger pads, its weight and impact resistance are ideal. In each case, cost per cubic metre is only part of the story: okan’s long life cuts replacement costs. See our hardwood railway sleepers, best wood for bridges and hardwood crane mats guides.
How okan compares on price
| Species | From (USD/m³, FOB) | Main strength |
|---|---|---|
| Okan | $650 | Very durable, dense, good supply |
| Tali | $650 | Very durable, warmer colour |
| Azobe | $650 | Strongest and heaviest |
| Bilinga | $700 | Very durable in water, lighter |
| Iroko | $950 | Stable, easier to work |
Okan, tali and azobe often start at similar prices. The choice comes down to the job, availability and how much weight and hardness you need. Read okan vs azobe for a detailed comparison.
Okan as an ipe alternative
Since ipe was listed on CITES Appendix II and supply became less predictable, many deck builders have looked for alternatives. Okan is one of the closest in density and durability among non-CITES African species, at a competitive price. It is a little lighter in colour and has a coarser texture, but it performs very well on decks, boardwalks and outdoor structures. See our ipe alternatives guide.
From FOB to landed cost
Our prices are FOB at Douala, Kribi, Owendo or Pointe-Noire. Add sea freight, insurance, destination port charges, customs clearance, duties and taxes, and inland delivery. For heavy timber like okan, freight can be 20–35% of the landed cost, depending on the route, because containers carry less volume. See our timber shipping cost and FOB vs CIF timber guides.
Working costs
Okan is hard on tools. Use carbide-tipped saws and cutters, pre-drill every fixing, and choose stainless steel or hot-dip galvanised screws and bolts. Some workers find its dust irritating, so use extraction and masks. Installation takes longer than with softwood or lighter hardwoods, so include extra labour time in your project budget.
Legal status and documentation
Okan is not listed by CITES. Buyers in the EU must still meet due diligence and EU deforestation regulation requirements, and US buyers must comply with the Lacey Act. We provide documents showing legal origin with each shipment. See our EUDR timber compliance guide.
Lead times
Standard air-dried sections can usually be cut and loaded in 4–6 weeks. Kiln-dried decking and long beams to a cutting list may take 6–10 weeks. Send your list early for large projects.
How okan performs over time
The real value of okan shows up years after installation. On a well-built deck with good ventilation, okan boards stay sound for decades, resisting rot, insects and wear from heavy foot traffic, chairs and tables. Left unfinished, the golden-brown colour weathers to a soft silver-grey, and the dense surface keeps its profile. Some boards show small surface checks as they dry and weather, which is normal for dense hardwoods and does not affect strength. On sleepers and bridges, okan holds fixings well and resists crushing under heavy loads. For buyers who have replaced softwood structures every ten or fifteen years, the longer service life often makes okan the cheaper option over the life of the project, even though the timber costs more at the start.
Choosing the right okan product
Tell us what the timber is for, and we will suggest the most economical product. For decks, kiln-dried profiled boards save time on site and give a smart finish. For sleepers, mats and heavy beams that will live outdoors or in the ground, air-dried or fresh-sawn sections cost less and perform just as well. For bridges and structural work, ask your engineer for the grade and tolerances, so we can cut and select timber that meets the design without paying for features you do not need. A short conversation at the quote stage often saves more than any discount.
Payment terms
For first orders, a letter of credit or a deposit with the balance against copy documents protects both sides. See our letter of credit for timber guide.
When you send your enquiry, include your cutting list, moisture content needs and destination port so we can quote accurately.
Common mistakes
- Ignoring weight limits: okan fills a container by weight long before volume.
- No pre-drilling: screws snap and boards split.
- Comparing FOB prices only: freight is a large share for heavy timber.
- Ordering kiln-dried stock where air-dried would do: extra cost for outdoor beams.
Our honest advice
Okan gives you heavy-hardwood strength and durability at a mid-range price with simple paperwork. Use it for decks, sleepers, bridges, mats and heavy outdoor structures, plan your container loads around its weight, and include freight and installation in your cost comparison. For lighter or more decorative work, iroko or tali may be better choices.
Sources
Related guides
Frequently asked questions about okan wood price
How much does okan cost per cubic metre?
Standard sawn okan starts from about $650 per m³ FOB; kiln-dried decking costs more.
Is okan cheaper than ipe?
Often yes, and it is not CITES listed, which keeps paperwork simpler.
How much okan fits in a container?
Usually about 18–22 m³ in a 20 ft container, limited by weight rather than space.
What is okan decking per square metre?
Roughly $19–24 per m² FOB in board value for 21 mm boards, before freight and installation.
Get an okan price
Send us your sizes, volume and destination through our quote form. We will reply with a firm price and lead time.