Wood in the rough market in Gabon

Earlier Report Observations

The Gabonese market for wood in the rough expanded significantly from 2018 to 2020, driven by the government's ban on log exports designed to boost local processing. This policy, reinforced by the Forest Code, retained raw timber within the country for industrial use. The establishment of the Nkok special economic zone, hosting dozens of wood processing plants, improved production efficiency and supply chains, leading to a notable increase in market volume.

Between 2021 and 2022, the market volume stabilized at around 2,590 thousand tons. Continued economic reforms, including customs and tax exemptions for wood processing equipment, supported industrial activity. Stricter enforcement of the Forest Code, such as penalties for abandoned logs and mandatory certification for logging operations, aimed to ensure sustainable practices while maintaining production levels.

In 2023, the market experienced a moderate decline to 2,517 thousand tons, primarily due to European restrictions on the commercial exploitation of okoume, a key timber species. Despite this, the sector continued to develop with over 217 processing units operating, reflecting ongoing efforts to promote local transformation and waste valorization.

Production wood in the rough in Gabon

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

Gabon's production of wood in the rough increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 2 593 K t, which represents a 24.3% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 18.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 2 018 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 7.9%.

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

Exports wood in the rough from Gabon

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2018, with an 8.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Gabon exported 27.5 t of wood in the rough, marking a 39.6% decline compared to 2019. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2018 at 227.8 t. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 80.0%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 167.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the largest buyers of wood in the rough from Gabon were the United Arab Emirates (29.2% of exports in kind), Vietnam (27.1%), and China (21.9%). Together, these three markets accounted for 78.2% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Exports reached their peak in 2018 and their lowest point in 2020, with a 31-fold difference between these years. In 2020, foreign supplies of wood in the rough from Gabon amounted to 4.0 K $ US, reflecting a sharp decline of 78.5% year-over-year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 125.8 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 85.2%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 291.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three principal markets—the United Arab Emirates, China, and Vietnam—together accounted for 93.6% of total exports in value terms of wood in the rough from Gabon.

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

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

Imports wood in the rough to Gabon

Imports in kind, t

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during the period. Imports peaked in 2019 and reached their lowest point in 2018, with a 44-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Gabon's volume of wood in the rough imports stood at 3.2 t, equivalent to an 83.3% decrease compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 19.4 t. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 4 297.3%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Asia, not elsewhere specified, consistently accounted for 81.0% of total imports in kind, indicating a high concentration on this market. The remaining share was distributed among other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports reached their maximum in 2019 and their minimum in 2018, with a 26-fold variation between these years. In 2020, Gabon's wood in the rough import volume came to 27.0 K $ US, reflecting a decline of 72.4% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 98.0 K $ US, and the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 2 464.6%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the partner structure for imports in value terms was centered on Asia, not elsewhere specified, whose share amounted to 75.6% of total flows. Other markets formed a less significant portion.

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

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