Wood in the rough market in Colombia

Earlier Report Observations

Production of rough wood in Colombia grew to 5.9 million tons in 2019, but this expansion was constrained by sluggish growth in the construction sector, its main consumer, which saw only a 0.3% increase in 2018. Competition from substitute materials like panels, plastics, and metals also pressured the market. Expectations for improved market dynamics in 2020 did not materialize, as output fell to 5.7 million tons.

Regulatory weaknesses emerged in 2020, with over 40% of export transactions involving fraudulent invoicing, undermining market integrity. Deforestation and land grabbing following the peace agreement with FARC created legal gaps affecting forestry sustainability. These issues contributed to a further production decline to 5.2 million tons in 2021.

By 2022, market volume had fallen to 4.7 million tons, with the sector facing competition from subsidized imports from Ecuador, where wood processing receives 75% state support. Initiatives like the Pacto Intersectorial por la Madera Legal aimed to strengthen the formal market by promoting legal timber and monitoring systems. Despite these efforts, production stabilized at 4.8 million tons in 2023, reflecting persistent structural challenges including high informality.

Production wood in the rough in Colombia

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, Colombia produced 5 688 K t of wood in the rough, marking a slight reduction of 2.9% compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 10.6%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 3.7%. The largest drop occurred in 2018, with a decrease of 10.6%, while the biggest increase was recorded in 2019 at 3.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Colombia's wood in the rough production volume declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 1 260 M $ US, representing a decline of 4.1% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 25%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -9.2%.

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

Exports wood in the rough from Colombia

Exports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports bottomed in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 2.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, foreign wood in the rough supplies from Colombia stood at 86 767 t, corresponding to a contraction of 7.6% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 93 902 t, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a rise of 91.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India, Vietnam, and China were the principal destinations for Colombia's wood in the rough exports in kind. India accounted for 44.0% of exports, Vietnam for 22.0%, and China for 19.8%, jointly making up 85.8% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. The lowest exports were registered in 2017, with the highest in 2018, reflecting a 2.1-fold gap. In 2020, Colombia exported 19 213 K $ US of wood in the rough, amounting to a reduction of 8.7% from 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 23 892 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 11.9%, while the largest increase was in 2018 with a rise of 109.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three principal markets—India, Vietnam, and China—together accounted for 89.5% of the total value of wood in the rough exports from Colombia.

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

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

Imports wood in the rough to Colombia

Imports in kind, t

Cross-border shipments of wood in the rough to Colombia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2019, imports came to 441 t, showing a sharp decline of 28.3% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2019 period, imports decreased by 68.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -32.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner base for imports in kind was extremely narrow, with the United States alone responsible for 95.3% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Wood in the rough imports to Colombia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2019, imports reached 402 K $ US, down by 36.6% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2019 period, imports decreased by 71.3%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -34.0%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the United States remained the dominant and almost sole destination for imports in value terms of wood in the rough to Colombia, with a share of 97.3%.

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

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