Non coniferous sawnwood market in Uganda

Earlier Report Observations

The non-coniferous sawnwood market in Uganda began at 373.5 thousand cubic meters in 2018 but fell to 333.9 thousand cubic meters in 2019. The government's ban on exports of unprocessed timber, introduced in May 2017, spurred processors to increase sawnwood exports, which jumped to 68.7 thousand cubic meters in 2019. Large-scale tree growers such as New Forests Company and Busoga Forestry Company provided key supply, while sawmills, including Chinese-owned enterprises, faced regulatory scrutiny over forest consumption.

Market volume edged up to 338.3 thousand cubic meters in 2020 as COVID-19 pandemic disruptions slashed imports and exports. Policy shifts reinforcing sustainable harvesting practices also affected availability. In 2021, the market declined to 322.6 thousand cubic meters due to ongoing global supply chain challenges and regulatory updates that tightened sustainable forest management compliance.

The contraction continued, with the market dropping to 313.0 thousand cubic meters in 2022 and 290.6 thousand cubic meters in 2023. Legislative changes enhancing timber traceability and certification, along with inflation and distribution regulation shifts, impacted costs and demand. Development of large-scale processing plants aimed to boost domestic value addition, though production volumes remained stable at 308.0 thousand cubic meters throughout the period.

Production non coniferous sawnwood in Uganda

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Top producers of non coniferous sawnwood, 2017-2020

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

Uganda's production of non-coniferous sawnwood remained relatively stable in 2020, with output at 308.0 K m³, showing little change from 2019. The most significant fluctuations occurred in 2018, where both the largest decline and increase were recorded at 0.0%.

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

Exports non coniferous sawnwood from Uganda

Exports in kind, K m³

The data shows irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. Uganda's exports of non-coniferous sawnwood reached their peak in 2019 at 129 K m³, then dropped sharply to a low of 0.4 K m³ in 2020, representing a 99.7% decrease from the previous year. This resulted in a 324-fold variation between the high in 2019 and the low in 2020. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 20,247.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Uganda's non-coniferous sawnwood exports in volume terms were Rwanda, accounting for 48.0% of exports, Tanzania with 25.6%, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo at 11.1%. Together, these three countries made up 84.8% of total export 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, K $ US

The data indicates irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Uganda's export value of non-coniferous sawnwood reached its minimum in 2018 at 70 K US$, then rose to a maximum of 166 K US$ in 2019, before declining to 154 K US$ in 2020, which was 7.0% lower than the previous year. This created a 2.4-fold variation between the high in 2019 and the low in 2018. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 38.2%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 137.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Kenya led as the top buyer of Uganda's non-coniferous sawnwood in value terms, accounting for 55.7% of exports, followed by Somalia at 19.6%, and Rwanda at 8.9%. Collectively, these three markets represented 84.2% 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 sawnwood to Uganda

Imports in kind, K m³

The market showed an unstable trend over the period. Uganda's imports of non-coniferous sawnwood in volume terms peaked in 2017 and fell to a minimum in 2020, resulting in a 50-fold shift. In 2020, imports amounted to 31 K m³, marking a steep decline of 59.5% from the previous year. The largest decrease was recorded in 2018 at 96.6%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 45.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Uganda's imports of non-coniferous sawnwood in volume terms were heavily concentrated, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo dominating the market, accounting for 95.7% of total imports.

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, K $ US

Uganda's import value of non-coniferous sawnwood increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 1 359 K US$, showing broad stability compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 75.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 20.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the import market in value terms was highly concentrated, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo alone responsible for 91.0% of total imports.

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

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