The African Cherry (Prunus africana), scattered across the mountain ranges of tropical Africa and Madagascar, can grow up to 40 meters high. Its bark has medicinal properties and its valuable extract is used by European pharmaceutical companies in the treatment of prostate disorders. Since 1995 the tree has been listed in Appendix II of CITES.
In Cameroon, the biggest exporter of this species, CITES and the International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO), began in 2009 a programme to ensure its sustainable management. This video shows the progress made thanks to this project since the years of unregulated trade and over-harvesting which resulted in an EU import ban in 2007 until this year.