Market research

Wood in the rough market in Democratic Republic of the Congo

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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File format: docx, xlsx

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Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, production of wood in the rough in the Democratic Republic of the Congo rose steadily, supported by the entry of new companies into the Congo Basin and the issuance of industrial logging permits. Activity in key regions like Mai-Ndombe and Equateur contributed to this expansion, while the sector remained shaped by widespread artisanal and often illegal exploitation due to an unclear legal framework.

Regulatory developments in 2021 and 2022 provided further impetus for growth. The promulgation of a law in November 2021 aimed to better govern the forestry sector, creating a more stable operating environment. This was followed by ministerial regulations in 2022 designed to optimize technology, strengthen the value chain, and improve production efficiency through financial incentives for equipment, enhancing industrial competitiveness.

Production continued to increase through 2023, a period marked by government investigations into illegally awarded forest concessions to Chinese firms. Factors such as persistent illegal logging and massive timber exports to China highlighted enforcement challenges. By 2024, regional export bans and insufficient application of forestry codes were influencing trade dynamics, though the domestic market volume had demonstrated consistent growth throughout the preceding years.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Democratic Republic of the Congo
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2018-2023, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production wood in the rough in Democratic Republic of the Congo

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, the Democratic Republic of the Congo ranked as the 8th largest producer of wood in the rough from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of wood in the rough, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

The Democratic Republic of the Congo saw its wood in the rough production increase for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 60 068 K t of wood in the rough, marking a slight rise of 1.2% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 3.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	1.2%	1.2%	1.2%	1.2%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output of wood in the rough in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was valued at 13 751 M $ US, reflecting a 3.5% increase from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value rose by 12.6%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 4.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 14 561 M $ US, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 with an 8.7% drop. The most significant increase was in 2018, with a 19.2% surge.

Annual dynamics of production in Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	19.2%	(8.7%)	3.5%	4.0%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports wood in the rough from Democratic Republic of the Congo

Exports in kind, K t

Wood in the rough exports from the Democratic Republic of the Congo grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export volume reached 220.0 K t, showing a strong increase of 14.9% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports expanded by 60%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 17.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	5.9%	31.5%	14.9%	17.0%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, two markets—China and Vietnam—dominated exports in volume, together accounting for 87.4% of total flows, with the remainder distributed among other destinations.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

Foreign supplies of wood in the rough from the Democratic Republic of the Congo increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 50 363 K $ US, up 17.5% year-on-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 73.9%, representing an average annual growth rate of 20.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	24.8%	18.6%	17.5%	20.2%

Source: SHEV.io

In 2017–2020, China and Vietnam were the leading markets for exports in value terms, together making up 87.5% of total flows, while other destinations accounted for the rest.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports wood in the rough to Democratic Republic of the Congo

Imports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Import volumes varied significantly, with a 7.3-fold difference between the high in 2017 and the low in 2018. In 2020, wood in the rough imports into the Democratic Republic of the Congo totaled 0.4 K t, a sharp increase of 134.2% compared to 2019. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 0.1 K t, with the largest decline that year at 86.2%. The biggest increase occurred in 2019, with a 162.9% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(86.2%)	162.9%	134.2%	(5.3%)

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017–2020, South Africa accounted for 73.4% of total imports in volume, while the remaining share was distributed among many countries with smaller individual contributions.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

The market displayed an unstable trend over the period. Imports peaked in 2017 and hit their lowest point in 2018, with a 7.1-fold gap between these years. In 2020, imported wood in the rough volumes in the Democratic Republic of the Congo registered 229 K $ US, indicating a sharp uptick of 168.2% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was in 2018 at 35 K $ US, with the largest decline that year at 86.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(86.0%)	144.5%	168.2%	(2.7%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the import structure in value terms was heavily concentrated on South Africa, which held a 79.7% share of total flows, with other partners making up the remaining volume.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io