CP Teak vs Burma Teak vs Ghana Teak vs Plantation Teak: Which Teak Is Which (2026)
The teak sold in Indian timber markets is not one wood: CP/MP teak, Burma teak, Ghana and other African teak, and plantation teak differ in oil content, grain, density and price. How to tell them apart, indicative price bands, and the checks that catch mislabelled 'teak'.
- Arpit Sahni
- 6 min read
CP Teak vs Burma Teak vs Ghana Teak vs Plantation Teak: A Buyer’s Identification Guide (2026)
Last Updated: July 2026 | Author: WoodAge Manufacturing Team | WoodAge has operated in Gurugram since 2003
“Teak” in an Indian timber market is a family, not one wood. Burma teak (Myanmar) is the benchmark for oil content and grain; Indian CP/MP teak (Central Provinces) is the premium domestic grade; African teak — Ghana, Sudan, Ivory Coast — is genuine Tectona grandis grown on plantations with faster growth and lighter grain; and young plantation teak is the budget tier. Price differences of 3x between these are normal, so a quote that just says “teak” is underspecified.
WoodAge (woodage.in) is a factory-direct modular kitchen and custom furniture manufacturer in Gurugram (Gurgaon), serving Delhi NCR since 2003. When solid teak appears on a WoodAge BOQ — door frames, table legs, carved elements — the line names the teak type. This guide explains the differences so any vendor’s teak line can be questioned intelligently.
What This Guide Answers
Is Ghana teak real teak?
Yes — Ghana, Sudan and Ivory Coast teak are genuine Tectona grandis grown on African plantations, originally from Indian and Burmese seed stock. They are real teak with faster growth, which means wider growth rings, lighter colour and lower oil content than old-growth Burma teak.
Why is Burma teak so expensive?
Old-growth Burma (Myanmar) teak grew slowly over decades, producing tight grain, high natural oil and superior dimensional stability. Supply is also constrained by export restrictions, so genuine old-growth commands a premium — and attracts mislabelling.
What does CP teak mean?
CP stands for Central Provinces — the historical name for the central Indian belt (today’s Madhya Pradesh/Maharashtra region) whose forests produce India’s most valued domestic teak, often traded as CP or MP teak.
The Teak Family: Side by Side
| Variety | Origin | Grain and colour | Natural oil content | Indicative market price (₹/cu ft)* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burma teak (old-growth) | Myanmar | Tight, straight grain; golden brown, darkens richly | Highest — feels waxy to touch | 4,500 to 8,000+ |
| CP / MP teak | Central India | Close grain, golden to darker brown | High | 3,000 to 5,500 |
| Ghana / African teak | West African plantations | Wider rings, more colour variation, lighter | Moderate | 1,800 to 3,200 |
| Other plantation teak (young Indian, South American) | Mixed plantations | Wide rings, pale, more sapwood | Lower | 1,200 to 2,500 |
Indicative Delhi NCR timber-market ranges in 2026 for reference while comparing quotes — estimates only, not an offer; teak is priced by log quality, girth, seasoning and dealer, and rates move with supply. Always confirm the current rate, variety and moisture content in writing.
Our take: for structural furniture parts and frames, well-seasoned Ghana teak is often the sensible value choice — genuine teak behaviour at a workable price. Reserve Burma or CP teak for visible surfaces, carving and heritage pieces where grain and colour depth are the point. What matters more than the label is seasoning: kiln-dried to interior moisture levels, whatever the variety.
How to Tell Them Apart at the Timber Yard
In Delhi NCR most of this timber trades through Kirti Nagar in West Delhi - among Asia’s largest timber markets - and the smaller mandis serving Gurgaon, Faridabad and Ghaziabad, so sampling before a large buy is practical. Five checks work without a laboratory. Weight and feel: old-growth Burma and CP teak feel dense and slightly oily; young plantation teak feels lighter and drier. Growth rings: tight, closely spaced rings suggest slow growth; wide rings mean plantation speed. Colour and smell: freshly planed genuine teak has a leather-like smell from its oils; pale, odourless wood with lots of cream-coloured sapwood is young or not teak at all. Water test: a drop of water beads on oily teak rather than soaking in immediately. Cut surface: genuine teak machines to a smooth, slightly greasy surface, not a fuzzy one.
None of these is conclusive alone — they are screening checks. For a large purchase, buy from a dealer who will write the variety on the bill, and compare the quoted rate against the band for that variety: “Burma teak” at a Ghana-teak price is usually Ghana teak.
Teak vs the Alternatives — When Not to Use Teak
Solid teak is the right call for door frames, exposed legs and carved work, and heirloom pieces. It is usually the wrong call for wide flat panels — wardrobe sides, shutter faces, table tops beyond small sizes — where seasoned solid wood still moves with Delhi NCR’s humidity swings and the budget is better spent on a stable engineered core with a natural teak veneer face and a proper clear coat. The species-level decision — teak against sheesham, mango, ash — is covered species by species in the dedicated teak vs sheesham comparison.
See also: To see how each board and finish lasts in Delhi NCR humidity, read WoodAge’s interior material durability guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which teak is best for main doors in India?
CP/MP or Burma teak for the frame and a stable engineered-core shutter is a common premium combination. An all-solid Burma teak door is beautiful but heavy and expensive; ensure hinges and the frame are specified for the weight.
How do I know if my furniture is real teak?
Check weight, smell on a freshly sanded hidden spot, grain tightness and how water behaves on an unfinished area. If the piece is finished all over, a professional inspection of an unfinished underside edge is the practical route.
Is plantation teak bad?
No — it is genuine teak with less oil and looser grain. Properly kiln-seasoned, it serves well in protected indoor use. It is only “bad” when sold at old-growth prices.
Sagwan and teak — same thing?
Yes. Sagwan (सागवान) is the Hindi name for teak. A “sagwan” quote still needs the variety named — Burma, CP, Ghana or plantation.
Does teak need polish?
Indoors, yes — a clear coat protects against stains and gives washability. The wood finish guide compares melamine, PU and shellac on solid wood.
Related Guides From WoodAge
- Teak vs Sheesham: Which Is Better for Furniture? - the two classic Indian furniture woods head to head.
- How to Verify Plywood Grade at Delivery - the same verify-the-stamp discipline, applied to boards.
- Wall Paneling Cost Guide - teak-look panelling routes and what they cost.
- Melamine vs PU vs Duco vs Polyester - protecting the teak you paid for.
- Pooja Room and CNC Jali Design - where premium teak and carving actually get used.
- Types of Wood for Furniture in India: Sheesham, Teak, Mango, Ash, Rubberwood Compared (/blogs/posts/2026/types-of-wood-for-furniture-india-sheesham-teak-mango-ash/) - Useful next reading on furniture planning, costs, materials, or execution.
Timber prices and availability change with market supply; every rate above is an indicative planning band (estimates only). Confirm variety, seasoning, moisture content and current rate in writing before purchase.