Wood in the rough market in Bolivia, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

After a period of declining production, Bolivia's wood in the rough market volume grew from 2 561 thousand tons in 2018 to 2 611 thousand tons in 2019. This increase was supported by measures from the Forest and Land Control Authority (ABT) to activate the domestic market, including raising import prices to protect national production. The sector also maintained a positive trade balance, while its structure remained dominated by community-based operations, accounting for 80% of output.

The market contracted to 2 430 thousand tons in 2020 but rebounded sharply to 2 782 thousand tons in 2021. This strong recovery was primarily driven by a near-doubling of climate finance flows to the forestry sector, reaching $1.3 billion for 2021-2022, alongside public-private initiatives focused on revitalizing domestic production and rationalizing imports.

Following the 2021 peak, the market volume eased to 2 747 thousand tons in 2022 and further to 2 661 thousand tons in 2023. While the sector showed signs of recovery with a 45% surge in export value during early 2022, the domestic market faced persistent headwinds from unfair competition due to timber imports from Brazil, which pressured local consumption volumes.

Production wood in the rough in Bolivia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of wood in the rough, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood in the rough, 2017-2020

After two consecutive years of growth, Bolivia's production of wood in the rough declined. In 2020, the country produced 2,430 thousand tons, representing a decrease of 6.9% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 3%, with an average annual decline of 1.0%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 2,611 thousand tons, while the largest year-over-year increase occurred in 2018 at 2.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Bolivia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports wood in the rough from Bolivia

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Export levels fluctuated significantly, with a 27-fold difference between the peak in 2018 and the low point in 2019. In 2020, Bolivia's exports of wood in the rough totaled 534 tons, marking a 24.6% increase from the previous year. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 429 tons, while the highest was in 2018 at 11,773 tons. The most substantial decline occurred in 2019 with a 96.4% drop, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 29.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Bolivia in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Bolivia's export pattern for wood in the rough showed a strong dependence on Brazil, which accounted for 99.7% of total export volumes.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Bolivia's cross-border shipments of wood in the rough declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported $399.8 thousand worth of wood in the rough, representing a 21.4% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, however, exports increased by 5.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.7%. The highest export value was recorded in 2018 at $513.0 thousand, and the largest year-over-year increase also occurred in 2018 at 34.9%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Brazil accounted for 87.1% of Bolivia's total export value for wood in the rough, while the remaining share was distributed among numerous other countries, each with significantly smaller individual portions.

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

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

Imports wood in the rough to Bolivia

Imports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import levels showed extreme fluctuations, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 64,205 times between the highest volume in 2018 and the lowest in 2020. In 2020, Bolivia imported approximately 0.0 tons of wood in the rough, representing a 100.0% decrease from 2019. The maximum import volume was recorded in 2018 at 2,376 tons, and the largest year-over-year increase occurred in 2018 at 69.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Bolivia in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Paraguay remained the nearly exclusive supplier of wood in the rough to Bolivia, accounting for 94.6% of total import volumes.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. Import values showed significant volatility, with a 38-fold gap between the peak in 2018 and the low point in 2020. In 2020, Bolivia imported wood in the rough worth approximately $0.0 thousand, marking a sharp decline of 96.3% compared to the previous year. The maximum import value was recorded in 2018 at $346.6 thousand, and the largest year-over-year increase also occurred in 2018 at 33.1%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Paraguay clearly dominated Bolivia's imports of wood in the rough in value terms, accounting for 88.8% of total flows, while other countries each held significantly smaller shares.

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

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