Non coniferous sawnwood market in India

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for non-coniferous sawnwood in India increased from 23 888 thousand m³ in 2018 to 24 963 thousand m³ in 2023, with growth driven partly by the availability of timber from illegal logging, which accounted for an estimated 42% of supply in 2019. A decline in sandalwood production in Karnataka from 2022 further supported demand for other non-coniferous sawnwood, contributing to market expansion in that year.

Supply-side factors included continuous approvals of forest land for non-forestry use in states like Karnataka, potentially constraining legal timber availability. The market adapted through rising imports, which grew from 523 thousand m³ in 2018 to 1 184 thousand m³ in 2023, helping to meet domestic consumption needs.

By 2024, institutional developments such as a deadline for concluding pending government bids on the GeM platform aimed to streamline procurement. Discussions on a national sandalwood policy and events like INDIAWOOD 2024 highlighted industry modernization and regulatory focus, shaping the market environment.

Production non coniferous sawnwood in India

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Globally, India ranked as the second-largest producer of non-coniferous sawnwood from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of non coniferous sawnwood, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, India produced 23,785 thousand cubic meters of non-coniferous sawnwood, showing little change from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 5.9%, with an average annual decline of 2.0%. The lowest production level occurred in 2018 at 23,377 thousand cubic meters, which also saw the steepest drop of 7.6%. In contrast, 2019 recorded the largest increase at 1.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of non-coniferous sawnwood production in India reached 17,273 million US dollars, marking a modest 3.0% rise compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 2.8%, averaging 0.9% per year. The lowest value was in 2019 at 16,769 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 19,374 million US dollars. The sharpest decline occurred in 2019 at 13.4%, whereas 2018 saw the largest increase of 15.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in India in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports non coniferous sawnwood from India

Exports in kind, K m³

India's non-coniferous sawnwood exports declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, export volume stood at 4.3 thousand cubic meters, down 10.3% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports plummeted by 72.5%, with an average annual decrease of 35.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India's non-coniferous sawnwood exports were widely distributed across various markets. The top three destinations—the United Arab Emirates (21.0% of export volume), Kuwait (8.5%), and Sri Lanka (7.7%)—collectively accounted for just 37.2% of total exports.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

India's non-coniferous sawnwood exports fell for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export value amounted to 3.1 million US dollars, reflecting a slight 7.6% drop from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 70%, averaging a 33.0% annual decline.

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

During 2017-2020, India's non-coniferous sawnwood export value was spread across a diverse range of partners. The leading markets—the United Arab Emirates (22.1% of export value), Kuwait (12.9%), and Seychelles (7.8%)—together represented only 42.8% of total exports.

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

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

Imports non coniferous sawnwood to India

Imports in kind, K m³

Following two years of growth, India's non-coniferous sawnwood imports declined. In 2020, import volume reached 467.2 thousand cubic meters, a 29.3% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports rose by 3%, with an average annual growth of 1.0%. The peak volume was recorded in 2019 at 661.0 thousand cubic meters, which also saw the largest increase of 26.5%.

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

Data from 2017 to 2020 show that India's non-coniferous sawnwood imports were not heavily concentrated. The top three sources—Malaysia (30.0% of import volume), Brazil (7.5%), and Indonesia (7.4%)—combined for only 44.8% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After increasing for two years, India's non-coniferous sawnwood imports dropped. In 2020, import value came to 214.0 million US dollars, a sharp 26.9% fall from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 16.8%, with an average annual decline of 5.9%. The highest value was in 2019 at 292.7 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 6.9%.

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

Analysis of import value from 2017 to 2020 reveals a broad distribution across many markets. The top three partners—Malaysia (26.2% of import value), Myanmar (11.4%), and Indonesia (10.7%)—together accounted for just 48.3% of total imports, with the remaining 51.7% spread among other countries.

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

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