America, developinq J\.frica recorded ir.cre;,ses ir: her exports cf sawloqs ar.ri veneer loqs (7.7 per cert) ar.d a surprisinqly larqe increase in panel prcuucts (13 per cent). There \las, ha1ever, a further decrease of scr:1e 2 per cent in savn.wcoJ experts ever the 1979 fiqure, which is directly attributaLle tc the rather lC\1 level of housir:q starts in Europe anC. the United States. 76. The Philippines placed a bar: cr: lcq experts it: 1981, and Ir:­ donesia placed restricticPs on lcq experts in l9E2 \<lith a vie\l to impcsinq a ccmplete ban in 1985. These moves by Africa's ccr.;­ petitcrs auour well for a recovery of Africa 's pcsiticn in the intern:l tiorol hardwccxi trade. (d) Prospects 77. It is .,.,crth nctinq that western Europe is fast exhausting its cwn supplies cf birch sa•rlc'Qs, ar.d \Jill increasinqly have to deper.d or: exterr.al supplies tc mair,te,;. in the iriiustries i rwcl ved. Whether or net Africa takes full acJ.\·a ntaqe of the opportu r:i ties will very much depend on investmer:t ir: nachir:.ery, the cost of which tripled between 1974 and 1982. 7. Devel oprr,e r.t pel icies, prol:lerns a rxi prospects 78. In confcrmity 1.1ith the Reqicral :reed Pla li fe-r Africa aci.cpted at the Tenth FAO Regional Conference for Africa, ar;d the Laqcs Plan of Acticn, African Gcvernments are attachiPq pricrity in the policies and measures beir.q adcptec1 to incrensinq feed produc­ tion, reducing feed losses ar:d achievir:o feed security. 53 E/ECP,'Ct-~. 9/5 79. In a large r;untber cf J!,frica n developillg countries, empahsis is r:-:M shifting towards the deployment of ar increasinq share of devel:Jpment resources to raise beth the rate cf ir:crease and the over-:.111 volume cf agricultural output. In Zimbabv:e, fer ex­ amplE:, in a radical departure frcr<i previous develcpmel"'t Ludqets, 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the economic development of Africa, specifically the growth of its exports, the impact of external factors on its agricultural sector, and the prospects for its future development. The text also touches on the importance of agricultural production and feed security in Africa.

**Category**
Economic development, International trade