Non coniferous sawnwood market in Central America

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2022, the Central American non-coniferous sawnwood market expanded from 1 166 thousand m³ to 1 654 thousand m³. This growth was driven by the initiation of exports to the United States, which highlighted the wood's physical beauty, and by rising demand for species like cypress, eucalyptus, and cericote in new market niches. By 2022, sawnwood had become the most in-demand forest product nationally, supported by policies aimed at generating added value and integrating producer associations into formal markets.

Market volume declined to 1 527 thousand m³ in 2023, coinciding with the implementation of rigorous timber legality assurance systems and supply chain controls to curb illegal logging. In 2024, the industry continued to emphasize innovation and artificial intelligence, intensified the search for new export markets like the Caribbean, and promoted product launches through events such as Expomueble 2024, alongside ongoing efforts toward standardization and sustainability certification.

Production non coniferous sawnwood in Central America

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Top producers of non coniferous sawnwood, 2017-2020

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

Central America's production of non-coniferous sawnwood has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 1 234 K m³, an increase of 8.8% compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 18.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.8%.

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

Exports non coniferous sawnwood from Central America

Exports in kind, K m³

Exports of non-coniferous sawnwood from Central America have fallen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, shipments abroad totaled 42.7 K m³, down 37.4% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports dropped by 46.2%, with an average annual decline of 18.7%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 128.3 K m³, which saw a 61.6% increase from the previous year. In 2019, exports experienced their sharpest fall, decreasing by 46.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Central America in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Central America's non-coniferous sawnwood exports in volume terms were China, accounting for 50.2% of shipments, India with 26.1%, and the United States at 14.3%. Together, these three countries represented 90.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of non-coniferous sawnwood exports from Central America has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 23.3 million US dollars, a decrease of 17.8% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value fell by 53.5%, with an average annual reduction of 22.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the primary buyers of Central American non-coniferous sawnwood in value terms were India, with a 31.5% share, the United States at 27.8%, and China with 26.2%. These three countries together accounted for 85.4% of total export value.

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

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

Imports non coniferous sawnwood to Central America

Imports in kind, K m³

In 2020, Central America imported 245.2 K m³ of non-coniferous sawnwood, a slight decrease of 2.1% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 2.3%, with an average annual decline of 0.8%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 242.7 K m³, which represented a 3.3% drop from the previous year. In 2019, imports saw their largest increase, rising by 3.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Central America in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

From 2017 to 2020, the United States and Germany were the dominant suppliers of non-coniferous sawnwood to Central America in volume terms, together accounting for 88.1% of total imports. Other sources each held relatively small shares.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The value of non-coniferous sawnwood imports into Central America has decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 154.8 million US dollars, down 3.7% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value declined by 4.1%, equivalent to an average annual rate of 1.4%. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 167.5 million US dollars, which saw a 3.8% increase from the previous year. In 2019, imports experienced their largest decline, falling by 4.0%.

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

In the 2017-2020 period, the import structure in value terms was heavily concentrated on the United States, which accounted for 71.9% of total flows. Other trading partners made up the remainder.

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

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