Non coniferous sawnwood market in Latin America and the Caribbean

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018, the long-term increase in eucalyptus production in Brazil strengthened the raw material base for non-coniferous sawnwood, supporting domestic supply. Market volume surged in 2019 to 8 044 thousand m³ as exports dropped sharply, freeing more output for local consumption. In 2020, the market fell to 7 314 thousand m³, impacted by port logistics bottlenecks that constrained export operations and a temporary tax incentive for the timber sector introduced to mitigate COVID‑19 effects.

The market recovered to 7 647 thousand m³ in 2021, driven by strong international demand that led to record prices and encouraged Brazilian exporters, while major producers began adopting FSC and PEFC sustainability certifications. By 2022, volume declined to 7 327 thousand m³ as domestic raw material shortages pushed imports up by 26%, and new phytosanitary labeling rules for imported wood complicated customs procedures. In 2023, the market contracted further to 7 141 thousand m³, facing ongoing port logistics challenges, while companies like Solida Brasil Madeiras diversified into value‑added products such as doors and furniture.

Production non coniferous sawnwood in Latin America and the Caribbean

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Top producers of non coniferous sawnwood, 2017-2020

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

Latin America and the Caribbean saw a decline in non-coniferous sawnwood production for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 7,792 thousand cubic meters, marking a 2.7% decrease from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 5.8%, with an average annual decline of 2.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Exports non coniferous sawnwood from Latin America and the Caribbean

Exports in kind, K m³

Exports of non-coniferous sawnwood from Latin America and the Caribbean dropped for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 935 thousand cubic meters, showing a significant 15.1% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports declined by 51.1%, with an average annual decrease of 21.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

From 2017 to 2020, China, South Korea, and the United States were among the top buyers of non-coniferous sawnwood from Latin America and the Caribbean, accounting for 15.3%, 11.4%, and 8.8% of exports in volume, respectively. However, together they made up just 35.6% of total exports, indicating a highly diversified partner base.

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

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Latin America and the Caribbean's non-coniferous sawnwood exports increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 746.1 million US dollars, a 53.8% rise from the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 63.8%, with an average annual increase of 17.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During 2017-2020, China, the United States, and India were the main destinations for non-coniferous sawnwood exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value terms, representing 35.0%, 13.2%, and 5.9% of exports, respectively. Together, they accounted for 54.1% of total export value.

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

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020

Imports non coniferous sawnwood to Latin America and the Caribbean

Imports in kind, K m³

After two years of growth, imports of non-coniferous sawnwood into Latin America and the Caribbean declined. In 2020, imports totaled 459 thousand cubic meters, a 59.5% drop from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 55%, with an average annual decrease of 23.4%. The peak was in 2019 at 1,132 thousand cubic meters, which also saw the largest increase of 9.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

An analysis of imports in volume from 2017 to 2020 reveals a broad distribution across many markets. The United States, China, and Spain accounted for 18.0%, 17.1%, and 6.0% of imports, respectively, totaling only 41.1% of flows, with the remaining 58.9% coming from other partners.

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

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Latin America and the Caribbean imported non-coniferous sawnwood worth 281.3 million US dollars, a 4.4% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports declined by 2.9%, with an average annual drop of 1.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 281.3 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 1.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Germany, and China formed the key group of partners for non-coniferous sawnwood imports into Latin America and the Caribbean in value terms, accounting for 54.0%, 9.1%, and 2.6% of imports, respectively. Together, they represented 65.7% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020