Roundwood coniferous market in Honduras

Earlier Report Observations

The Honduran coniferous roundwood market experienced a gradual decline in volume from 3.8 million m³ in 2018 to 3.5 million m³ in 2023. This trend was initially shaped by a regulated harvesting system requiring licenses from the Forest Conservation Institute (ICF) and a ban on exporting certain types of round or squared timber, which structured production and trade from the outset.

A significant contraction in available wood supply occurred following extensive forest fires and outbreaks of pine bark beetles in 2021, which damaged forest areas and directly reduced the volume of roundwood entering the market. This natural disturbance accelerated the existing downward trend in production and overall market size.

Despite the declining volume, the forestry sector remained economically significant, generating substantial export revenue. Efforts focused on improving forest governance, negotiating a Voluntary Partnership Agreement with the European Union to promote legal trade, and adhering to international certification standards like ISO9001 for processed pine wood, which helped diversify exports toward sawn timber and precious woods like mahogany and cedar.

Production coniferous roundwood in Honduras

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Top producers of coniferous roundwood, 2017-2020

World map of production of coniferous roundwood, 2017-2020

Honduras has seen its roundwood coniferous production decline for three consecutive years. In 2020, the country produced 3,525 thousand cubic meters of roundwood coniferous, showing minimal change from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 6.6%, with an average annual decline of 2.3%.

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

Exports coniferous roundwood from Honduras

Exports in kind, m³

The market showed considerable volatility during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2020 at 1,495 cubic meters, marking a sharp 68.3% drop from the previous year. The peak occurred in 2019 with 4,710 cubic meters, representing a 27.9% increase from 2018. Overall, exports fluctuated by a factor of 3.2 between these extremes.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Honduras' roundwood coniferous exports were primarily directed to three key markets: Costa Rica (41.8% of export volume), Nicaragua (34.3%), and El Salvador (8.3%). Together, these countries accounted for 84.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Honduras exported $636,000 worth of roundwood coniferous in 2020, representing a steep 37.3% decline from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 43.8%, with an average annual decline of 17.5%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, when export value rose by 16.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Honduras' roundwood coniferous exports in value terms were heavily concentrated in two markets: Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Together, these two countries accounted for 88.1% of total export value, with the remaining share distributed among other trading partners.

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

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

Imports coniferous roundwood to Honduras

Imports in kind, m³

Honduras' roundwood coniferous imports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2019, imports stood at just 4 cubic meters, representing a dramatic 99.2% drop from 2018. Between 2017 and 2019, imports decreased by 99.5%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 83.2%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, Honduras' roundwood coniferous imports came primarily from three sources: Free Zones (53.3% of import volume), the United States (22.1%), and Guatemala (3.0%). Together, these accounted for 78.5% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Honduras' roundwood coniferous import value declined for the second year in a row. In 2019, imports were valued at $2,000, representing a 98.7% year-over-year decrease. Over the 2017-2019 period, import value fell by 99.3%, with an average annual decline of 81.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, two markets dominated Honduras' roundwood coniferous imports in value terms: Free Zones and the United States. Together, they accounted for 81.1% of total import value, with the remainder distributed among other destinations.

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

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