Non coniferous roundwood market in Uganda

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, production and market volume of non-coniferous roundwood in Uganda showed consistent annual growth. This expansion was primarily driven by a growing timber shortage, which encouraged harvesting to meet demand, and the 2017 ban on exports of unprocessed wood that kept resources within the domestic market. High demand for wood in construction, industry, and particularly for fuel (firewood and charcoal) further sustained harvest volumes throughout the period.

The upward trend continued as commercial plantation output of species like eucalyptus and pine increased, with a focus on cloned varieties for higher productivity. Market resilience was also supported by the diversification into less common tropical timber species and shifting consumer preferences toward wood with better structural and aesthetic properties. Despite potential headwinds from global events like the COVID-19 pandemic and international conflicts affecting supply chains, production kept rising, partly aided by government initiatives focused on restoring forest cover.

Production non coniferous roundwood in Uganda

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

From 2017 to 2020, Uganda ranked 11th globally in non-coniferous roundwood production.

Top producers of non coniferous roundwood, 2017-2020

World map of production of non coniferous roundwood, 2017-2020

Uganda's non-coniferous roundwood production grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 49 026 thousand cubic meters, marking a 0.9% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 2.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Uganda in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Exports non coniferous roundwood from Uganda

Exports in kind, m³

Export volumes showed significant fluctuations during this time. From a low in 2018 to a high in 2019, volumes varied by a factor of 14.8. In 2020, Uganda exported 130.0 cubic meters of non-coniferous roundwood, down 77.5% from the previous year. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 579.0 cubic meters, with the largest increase that year reaching 1 384.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Uganda in kind, 2017-2020, m³

Between 2017 and 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (58.2% of export volume), Vietnam (19.4%), and Kenya (13.1%) were the key partners for Uganda's non-coniferous roundwood exports, together accounting for 90.8% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Uganda in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, $ US

Export values experienced irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market. The lowest value occurred in 2018, while the highest was in 2019, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 11.6 times. In 2020, Uganda's non-coniferous roundwood exports totaled 54 218 US dollars, a sharp decline of 30.6% from 2019. The maximum value was 78 118 US dollars in 2019, with the largest increase that year at 1 056.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Uganda in value, 2017-2020, $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Kenya (32.0% of export value), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (31.3%), and Vietnam (24.8%) remained the main buyers of Uganda's non-coniferous roundwood, jointly representing 88.1% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Uganda in value, 2017-2020

Imports non coniferous roundwood to Uganda

Imports in kind, m³

Uganda's non-coniferous roundwood imports fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 2.0 cubic meters, a decrease of 60.0% compared to 2019. Over the 2018-2020 period, imports dropped by 99.7%, with an average annual decline of 86.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Uganda in kind, 2017-2020, m³

Between 2017 and 2020, the import market was highly concentrated, with China alone responsible for 95.3% of total import volume.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Uganda in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, $ US

Imported non-coniferous roundwood values in Uganda rose for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports stood at 796 US dollars, up 46.3% from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2020, imports increased by 228.9%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 48.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Uganda in value, 2017-2020, $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates (40.7% of import value), South Sudan (31.6%), and India (18.7%) led as the top suppliers of non-coniferous roundwood to Uganda, together accounting for 91.0% of total import value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Uganda in value, 2017-2020