Wood in the rough market in Ghana

Earlier Report Observations

The market for wood in the rough in Ghana grew from 32.7 million tons in 2018 to 37.0 million tons in 2023. This expansion was primarily driven by regulatory reforms aimed at improving forest governance and timber legality. The introduction of mandatory FSC certification for all forestry companies in 2018, with a compliance deadline until the end of 2022, pushed producers to adhere to sustainability standards, which supported legal harvesting volumes and market growth.

After a minor market adjustment in 2019 linked to the transitional phase of certification, production consistently increased. Sustained reform efforts in 2020 and the sector's resilience despite COVID-19 challenges in 2021 reinforced the upward trend. The passage of the Ghana Shippers Authority Bill in 2022 modernized timber transport and logistics, while enhanced technical services through the Timber Industry Development Division in 2023 boosted industry skills and productivity, further supporting market expansion.

In 2024, regulatory tightening continued, such as the stricter framework for kevazingo exploitation requiring sustainable concessions and CITES permits for finished products, aiming to enhance traceability and sustainability in the sector.

Production wood in the rough in Ghana

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Ghana ranked 15th globally in the production of wood in the rough.

Top producers of wood in the rough, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, Ghana produced 33,807 thousand tonnes of wood in the rough, marking a 4.3% increase from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 6.6%, which translates to an annualized rate of 2.1%. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a decline of 0.9%.

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

Exports wood in the rough from Ghana

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of wood in the rough from Ghana showed an unstable trend from 2017 to 2020. The lowest point was in 2018 at 17.5 thousand tonnes, while the peak was in 2020 at 147.0 thousand tonnes, representing an 8.4-fold difference. In 2020, exports surged by 555.6% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018, at 29.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India, Vietnam, and China were the primary destinations for Ghana's wood in the rough exports in kind. India accounted for 58.8% of exports, Vietnam for 17.6%, and China for 16.5%, together making up 92.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Ghana's wood in the rough exports in value terms increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 72,230 thousand US dollars, a sharp rise of 344.5% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 834.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 110.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, India, China, and Vietnam were the main destinations for Ghana's wood in the rough exports in value terms. India represented 57.0% of exports, China 17.5%, and Vietnam 11.8%, collectively accounting for 86.3% of total export value.

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

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

Imports wood in the rough to Ghana

Imports in kind, K t

Imports of wood in the rough into Ghana declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 20.2 thousand tonnes, a 12.7% decrease year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 13.8%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 4.4%. The highest import volume was in 2018 at 28.2 thousand tonnes, with the largest increase of 59.3% that year. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, at 18.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, South Africa, and Chile were the leading sources for Ghana's wood in the rough imports in kind. The United States contributed 50.3% of imports, South Africa 26.7%, and Chile 20.2%, together representing 97.2% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Ghana's wood in the rough imports in value terms increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import value reached 8,741 thousand US dollars, a strong growth of 16.4% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 102.8%, with an annualized rate of 26.6%.

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

During 2017-2020, the United States, Chile, and South Africa consistently served as the main sources for Ghana's wood in the rough imports in value terms. The United States accounted for 54.1% of imports, Chile for 23.1%, and South Africa for 19.4%, together making up 96.6% of total import value.

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

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