Roundwood coniferous market in Tanzania

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, Tanzania's coniferous roundwood production grew steadily from 1 107 thousand m³ to 1 164 thousand m³, supported by policy measures and industrial activity. A ban on log exports forced timber growers to process wood domestically, boosting local demand for raw roundwood. Concurrent emphasis on sustainable forest management helped maintain timber supply amid pressures from agricultural expansion. By 2020, operational processing facilities like the Kilombero Valley Teak Company's factory further stimulated roundwood consumption, contributing to the market's gradual expansion.

The market volume surged to 2 527 thousand m³ in 2022, despite domestic production stabilizing at 1 179 thousand m³. This growth was driven almost entirely by imports, which rose from negligible levels to 1 352 thousand m³ in 2022. While the available sources do not specify direct causes for the import spike, broader industry developments such as identified investment opportunities in plantation wood and calls for swift agroforestry policy implementation likely fueled demand for roundwood in the processing sector. High global fertilizer prices in 2021 also indirectly affected agricultural and forestry input costs, potentially influencing supply chains and demand patterns.

In 2023, the market corrected sharply to 1 178 thousand m³, returning to a level similar to 2020, as imports fell back to minimal levels. Domestic production remained steady at 1 179 thousand m³, indicating a renewed reliance on domestic supply after the temporary import-driven expansion.

Production coniferous roundwood in Tanzania

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Top producers of coniferous roundwood, 2017-2020

World map of production of coniferous roundwood, 2017-2020

Tanzania's roundwood coniferous production volume increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 1,164 thousand cubic meters of roundwood coniferous, marking a controlled improvement of 3.6% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 5.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.7%. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 0.0%.

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

Exports coniferous roundwood from Tanzania

Exports in kind, m³

Roundwood coniferous exports from Tanzania increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 4,511 cubic meters, representing a steep increase of 111.6% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 786.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 106.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany and Kenya remained the principal destinations for exports in kind, jointly accounting for 86.3% of total flows. Other partners each held significantly smaller shares.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports in value terms reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a 9.5-fold variation between these years. In 2020, foreign roundwood coniferous supplies from Tanzania amounted to 547 thousand US dollars, representing a 102.9% rise compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 57 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 74.6%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 370.5%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Germany, Kenya, and Denmark were the primary buyers of roundwood coniferous from Tanzania in value terms. Germany accounted for 49.4% of exports, Kenya for 24.4%, and Denmark for 20.5%, jointly representing 94.4% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports coniferous roundwood to Tanzania

Imports in kind, m³

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import levels fluctuated significantly, with a 5,292-fold difference between the high in 2017 and the low in 2018. In 2020, Tanzania's roundwood coniferous import volume totaled 849 cubic meters, corresponding to an intense uptick of 84,800.0% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 1 cubic meter, and the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 100.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical pattern of imports in kind was determined mainly by South Africa and Kenya, which together accounted for 100.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Import volumes in value terms dropped to a minimum in 2019 and climbed to their maximum in 2017, with a 215,549-fold shift between these years. In 2020, Tanzania's roundwood coniferous import volume totaled 1 thousand US dollars, reflecting an increase of 5,963.6% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 0.0 thousand US dollars, and the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 100.0%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, South Africa dominated the country structure of imports in value terms, with a share of 100.0% of total flows.

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

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