Particle board of wood market in Zimbabwe

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, Zimbabwe's particle board market remained relatively stable, with volumes around 15 000 m³ annually. The entry of new player Allied Timbers, which opened a board and doors production facility in mid-2019 and expanded its retail network, alongside ongoing middle-class housing construction, underpinned demand. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic initially delayed construction projects, but a rise in DIY home improvement activities helped sustain consumption, leading to a slight market increase.

Beginning in 2021, the market expanded sharply, more than doubling by 2023 to reach 33 784 thousand m³. This surge was primarily driven by a substantial rise in particle board imports from South Africa, which became the key supply source. Growth in Zimbabwe's construction and furniture sectors, coupled with increasing consumer preference for sustainable and eco-friendly building materials, fueled demand. Government initiatives promoting sustainable forestry and value addition in wood products further supported market growth.

Despite economic challenges such as high inflation, urbanization and infrastructure development continued to drive consumption. The introduction of specialized products like fire-resistant and moisture-resistant particle boards, along with the expansion of e-commerce sales channels, diversified the market. However, domestic production declined steadily over the period, making Zimbabwe increasingly reliant on imports to meet its particle board needs.

Production particle board of wood in Zimbabwe

In kind, 2017-2020, m³

Top producers of particle board of wood, 2017-2020

World map of production of particle board of wood, 2017-2020

In 2020, Zimbabwe produced 46 280 m³ of particle board, remaining virtually unchanged from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 48.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 14.0%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 46 280 m³. The largest decline occurred in 2019, while the most significant increase was observed in 2018 at 48.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Zimbabwe in kind, 2017-2020, m³

Exports particle board of wood from Zimbabwe

Exports in kind, K m³

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

From 2017 to 2020, Malawi was the dominant buyer of particle board from Zimbabwe, accounting for 100.0% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Zimbabwe's exports of particle board in value terms were almost entirely directed to Malawi, which represented 100.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports particle board of wood to Zimbabwe

Imports in kind, K m³

In 2020, Zimbabwe imported particle board totaling value_last_year K m³, marking an 8.6% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports rose by 32%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.7%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 6.7%, while the most significant increase occurred in 2018 at 30.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Zimbabwe's imports of particle board in kind were highly concentrated on South Africa, which accounted for 99.3% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Zimbabwe's imports of particle board amounted to 6 171 K US dollars, showing a 1.6% increase from the year before. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 10.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.5%. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 7 357 K US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 17.4%, while the most significant increase was observed in 2018 at 32.2%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, South Africa was the key partner for Zimbabwe's imports in value terms, representing 99.4% of total import flows.

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

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