Market research

Wood in the rough market in Eastern Africa

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"Eastern Africa" region includes following countries:

British Indian Ocean Territory

Burundi

Comoros

Mayotte

Ethiopia

Eritrea

French Southern Territories

Djibouti

Kenya

Madagascar

Malawi

Mauritius

Mozambique

Reunion

Rwanda

Seychelles

Somalia

Zimbabwe

South Sudan

Uganda

Tanzania

Zambia

Earlier Report Observations

Production of wood in the rough in Eastern Africa increased steadily from 215 million tons in 2018 to 224 million tons in 2023. This growth was supported by demand generated from major infrastructure projects, particularly the ongoing East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), which required wood for construction and support activities throughout the period.

Regional economic integration, marked by the operational start of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) for Tanzanian traders in 2023, improved trade conditions. Domestic policy changes, such as the removal of VAT on agricultural processing equipment, also enhanced the business environment, indirectly sustaining demand for wood within the region.

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 Eastern Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Africa in kind, 2018-2023, M t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, M 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, M 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 British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to British Indian Ocean Territory 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, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, M $ 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 British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory 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 British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to British Indian Ocean Territory 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, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, M $ 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 British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory 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 British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from British Indian Ocean Territory 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, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, M $ 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 British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory 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 British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from British Indian Ocean Territory 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, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, M $ 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 British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory 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, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ 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 Eastern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, M t

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

Wood in the rough production in Eastern Africa increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, production reached 217.7 million tonnes, showing negligible variation compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 2.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, M t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	0.9%	0.9%	0.4%	0.7%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports wood in the rough from Eastern Africa

Exports in kind, t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. The lowest point was recorded in 2018 at 25 788 tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2019 at 76 454 tonnes, representing a threefold difference. In 2020, wood in the rough exports from Eastern Africa totaled 39 548 tonnes, marking a significant decline of 48.3% from the previous year. The largest increase was observed in 2019, with a growth of 196.5%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(27.9%)	196.5%	(48.3%)	3.4%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, China, Vietnam, and Botswana were the key partners for exports in kind. China accounted for 49.6% of exports, Vietnam for 8.9%, and Botswana for 5.2%. Together, these three countries represented 63.7% of total export flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

Market behavior was characterized by volatility during these years. Import levels fluctuated significantly, with a 6.5-fold difference between the low of 2018 at 6.2 million US dollars and the high of 2019 at 40.8 million US dollars. In 2020, wood in the rough exports from Eastern Africa registered 14.8 million US dollars, indicating a dramatic reduction of 63.8% compared to 2019. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, with a growth of 552.9%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(51.2%)	552.9%	(63.8%)	4.9%

Source: SHEV.io

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, China, Vietnam, and Botswana were the primary buyers of wood in the rough from Eastern Africa in value terms. China accounted for 62.9% of exports, Vietnam for 5.3%, and Botswana for 2.7%. Collectively, these three countries represented 71.0% of total export value.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports wood in the rough to Eastern Africa

Imports in kind, t

Eastern Africa's volume of wood in the rough imports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 45 701 tonnes, showing a robust drop of 15.8% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 30.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -11.6%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(6.0%)	(12.7%)	(15.8%)	(11.6%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa, Eswatini, and Malaysia were the leading suppliers of wood in the rough to Eastern Africa in kind. South Africa accounted for 56.6% of imports, Eswatini for 9.2%, and Malaysia for 2.0%. Together, these three countries made up 67.7% of total import volumes.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

Market performance exhibited noticeable fluctuations during this period. The minimum value was recorded in 2017, while the maximum occurred in 2018 at 104.5 million US dollars, representing a 5.6-fold shift. In 2020, the volume of wood in the rough imports to Eastern Africa amounted to 19.3 million US dollars, marking a controlled decrease of 9.7% versus the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2018, with a growth of 457.6%, while the largest decline was observed in 2019, with a drop of 79.6%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	457.6%	(79.6%)	(9.7%)	0.9%

Source: SHEV.io

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, South Africa, Eswatini, and Malaysia stood out as the main markets for imports in value terms. South Africa accounted for 40.5% of imports, Eswatini for 38.5%, and Malaysia for 3.3%. Together, these three countries represented 82.2% of total import flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io