Wood in the rough market in Gambia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for wood in the rough in Gambia expanded from 522 thousand tonnes in 2018 to a peak of 552 thousand tonnes in 2022. This growth was initially supported by government efforts to modernize agriculture, including a soil fertility mapping project and the distribution of tractors and farming equipment. Subsidies to farmers under the World Bank-funded GIRAV project and a liberalized investment climate facilitated by the GIEPA agency further contributed to increased productivity in the sector.

Production faced a temporary dip in 2020 but recovered in 2021 and 2022, aided by the delivery of additional tractors as part of a broader mechanization plan and improved water resource management techniques. The Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union, guaranteeing duty-free access for Gambian goods, along with policies exempting imported agricultural products from customs duties, enhanced the competitiveness and input availability for local producers during this period.

Market volume declined to 539 thousand tonnes in 2023, coinciding with a widening government budget deficit that likely constrained public investment in agriculture. Throughout the reviewed years, the country's heavy reliance on biomass for domestic energy remained a significant factor influencing forest management and land-use practices.

Production wood in the rough in Gambia

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, Gambia produced 533.3 thousand tons of wood in the rough, marking a modest 3.7% decline compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 20.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.5%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 522.2 thousand tons. The sharpest decline occurred in 2018 with a 22.4% drop, while the largest increase was seen in 2019 with a 6.0% rise.

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

Exports wood in the rough from Gambia

Market research indicates that Gambia did not export any wood in the rough from 2017 to 2020.

Imports wood in the rough to Gambia

Imports in kind, kg

The market experienced noticeable fluctuations during this period. Import volumes reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2017, with a 93-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Gambia imported 3 750 kg of wood in the rough, representing a 98.9% decrease from the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Gambia in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates consistently accounted for 87.4% of Gambia's total wood in the rough imports by volume, indicating high market concentration. 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 Gambia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, $ US

The market displayed volatility throughout the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2017, with a 309-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Gambia imported approximately 148 US dollars worth of wood in the rough, showing a steep 99.7% decline compared to the previous year.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the United Arab Emirates dominated Gambia's wood in the rough imports in value terms, consistently accounting for 96.5% of total import flows.

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

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