Wood in the rough market in Burundi

Earlier Report Observations

The market for wood in the rough in Burundi remained stable at 4.3 million tons annually from 2018 to 2023. This consistency is rooted in the country's heavy reliance on wood for energy, which accounts for about 95% of the national energy balance, primarily as firewood and charcoal. The sector is characterized by artisanal, manual production within a poorly organized and regulated market, limiting industrial development and keeping output levels steady. The ratification of funding agreements for development projects in 2018, including hydropower, may have supported demand for construction and energy wood but did not alter overall production volumes.

External events such as the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 slowed broader economic growth but did not reduce wood production, likely due to its essential role in household energy. In subsequent years, the government adopted a National Industrialization Policy (PNIB) aiming to stimulate industrial activity, including wood processing, though it has yet to impact production figures. Simultaneously, illegal logging in protected areas like Kibira National Park increased significantly, rising by 5% per year with a peak of 50% between 2023 and 2024, posing sustainability concerns without immediately affecting reported market size.

Economic challenges including high inflation and a sharp depreciation of the Burundian franc in 2023 raised costs, while revised budget laws in 2024 introduced fiscal measures impacting the broader economy. Government initiatives to substitute traditional charcoal with carbonized briquettes for environmental protection have been proposed, yet wood and charcoal remain the primary urban energy sources. These factors have collectively maintained the market's steady volume, underpinned by enduring energy dependence and informal sector dynamics.

Production wood in the rough in Burundi

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

In 2020, Burundi produced 4,306 thousand tonnes of wood in the rough, showing relative stability compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 0.0%, while the largest increase was also recorded in 2018, at 0.0%.

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

Exports wood in the rough from Burundi

Exports in kind, t

In 2018, Burundi's exports of wood in the rough reached 0.8 tonnes, marking a sharp decline of 99.8% from the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Uganda and Rwanda were the primary buyers of wood in the rough from Burundi, together accounting for 99.8% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, $ US

In 2018, the value of Burundi's wood in the rough exports stood at 101 US dollars, representing a decrease of 98.5% compared to the previous year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Uganda and Rwanda remained the main buyers of wood in the rough from Burundi, with a combined share of 98.6% of total exports in value terms, while the remainder was distributed among other countries.

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

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

Imports wood in the rough to Burundi

Imports in kind, t

The market showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2020, with a 51-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Burundi imported 5.1 tonnes of wood in the rough, indicating a sharp increase of 5,007.0% from the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt was the principal source of wood in the rough imports to Burundi, accounting for 85.8% of total imports in kind, with other destinations playing a less significant role.

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

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

Imports in value, $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Import values bottomed out in 2019 and peaked in 2017, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 302 times. In 2020, Burundi's wood in the rough imports amounted to 993 US dollars, showing a sharp gain of 5,511.9% compared to the previous year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China remained the dominant partner for Burundi's wood in the rough imports in value terms, with a share of 73.2% of total flows, while other markets formed a long tail.

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

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