Wood in the rough market in Central Asia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the market volume for wood in the rough in Central Asia experienced significant fluctuations. A surge to 3.6 million t in 2019 was driven by a sharp increase in imports, more than doubling from the previous year, alongside steady growth in domestic production. This expansion coincided with the region's ongoing development of its timber industry and a strategic focus on exports to Central Asian countries, China, and other Asian markets. In 2020, the market volume declined to 3.2 million t, influenced by global supply chain disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic and pressures on the international timber market from pest infestations in Central European forests.

From 2021, the market was reshaped by major policy shifts. The introduction of a ban on the export of unprocessed and roughly processed coniferous and valuable hardwood timber, effective from 1 January 2022, aimed to stimulate deep processing within domestic economies. This led to a complete halt in exports of the product from the region from 2022 onwards. Simultaneously, the closure of traditional European export markets due to sanctions prompted a reorientation of trade flows towards Asian partners. These factors, coupled with a significant drop in imports in 2022, contributed to a contraction of the market volume to 3.0 million t that year.

In 2023 and into 2024, the market showed signs of stabilization and adaptation. The market volume slightly recovered to 3.0 million t in 2023, supported by renewed import growth and government subsidies to compensate for part of the logistics costs for exporting timber industry products. The region actively developed cooperation with markets in Central Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa, where demand for timber and finishing materials was growing. This was accompanied by the commissioning of new production facilities, such as pellet plants and log sorting lines, and tighter state controls against illegal logging and timber trafficking, further influencing market structure and supply.

Production wood in the rough in Central Asia

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

Wood in the rough production in Central Asia has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Central Asia produced 2,783 thousand tons of wood in the rough, marking a 1.8% rise compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 4.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Wood in the rough production in Central Asia has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output of wood in the rough was valued at 281.7 million US dollars in Central Asia, representing a gradual loss of 6.5% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 14.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Central Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports wood in the rough from Central Asia

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Export volumes reached their lowest level in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 3.9 times. In 2020, exported wood in the rough volumes from Central Asia were recorded at 45.5 thousand tons, marking a dramatic decline of 49.4% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 89.9 thousand tons, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 240.9% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Central Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during the period. The span from 2017 to 2019 exhibited a peak-to-trough amplitude of 3.4 times. In 2020, Central Asia's wood in the rough export volume reached 4,609 thousand US dollars, amounting to a decline of 53.5% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 9,907 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase was in 2018 with a 225.3% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Korea consistently accounted for the largest share of exports in value terms of wood in the rough from Central Asia, representing 0.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports wood in the rough to Central Asia

Imports in kind, K t

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during the period. Import volumes dropped to a minimum in 2017 and climbed to their maximum in 2019, a 3.2-fold shift. In 2020, wood in the rough volumes in Central Asia totalled 491.9 thousand tons, corresponding to a sharp fall of 46.6% from 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 921.5 thousand tons, and the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 98.1% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Central Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Russia acted as the main outlet for wood in the rough to Central Asia, consistently absorbing 90.1% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, foreign wood in the rough supplies to Central Asia registered 32,405 thousand US dollars, constituting a drop of 18.3% versus the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 11.9%, equating to a 3.8% annualized rate. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 28,408 thousand US dollars, while the maximum value was in 2019 at 39,675 thousand US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 39.7% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia and Belarus remained the key destinations for imports in value terms, with a combined share of 75.9% of total flows.

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

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