Wood in the rough market in Liberia

Earlier Report Observations

The Liberian wood in the rough market demonstrated consistent growth from 2018 to 2023, with its volume expanding from 6.3 million tons to 7.3 million tons. This trend was underpinned by major governance reforms initiated under the EU-Liberia Voluntary Partnership Agreement (FLEGT APV), which began implementation in 2017 to ensure timber legality and improve sustainable forest management.

A pivotal development was the passage of the Land Rights Act in September 2018, which secured customary land rights and mandated free, prior, and informed consent. This legislative change improved investment conditions for legal forestry operations. Concurrently, the rollout of the national timber traceability system LiberTrace enhanced supply chain monitoring, helping to channel production into verified legal streams and supporting market expansion.

The sector showed resilience during the global COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, which affected international demand and logistics. Reforms continued through 2023 with efforts to increase transparency, such as beneficial ownership reporting, although challenges like illegal logging and corruption were reported. In 2024, authorities maintained focus on enforcing legality standards amidst global market pressures.

Production wood in the rough in Liberia

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

Liberia's production of wood in the rough has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 6 654 thousand tons, marking a 3.1% increase compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 9.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.1%.

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

Exports wood in the rough from Liberia

Exports in kind, t

The export market showed significant volatility during these years. Exports peaked in 2019 at 705 tons, then dropped sharply to just 8 tons in 2020—a dramatic 98.8% decrease. This created an 86-fold difference between the two years. The largest year-over-year increase occurred in 2018, when exports surged by 532.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Singapore and Turkey were the two main export destinations for Liberia's wood in the rough, together accounting for 57.0% of total exports by volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values also experienced considerable fluctuations, reflecting a volatile market. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 351 thousand US dollars, while the lowest was in 2017, resulting in a 22-fold swing between these years. In 2020, exports fell to 38 thousand US dollars, a sharp 79.5% drop from 2019. The most significant increase happened in 2018, with a growth of 2 120.6%.

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

During the 2017–2020 period, Singapore, China, and Turkey were the leading markets for Liberia's wood in the rough by value. Singapore alone accounted for 61.8% of export value, followed by China at 8.7% and Turkey at 4.3%. Together, these three countries made up 74.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports wood in the rough to Liberia

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes were similarly volatile. The highest volume was in 2018 at 2 136 tons, and the lowest in 2017, with a 5.7-fold difference between these peak and trough years. In 2020, imports reached 497 tons, up 28.9% from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 82.0%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, with a jump of 474.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa, Nigeria, and Ghana were the primary sources of wood in the rough imports to Liberia by volume. South Africa contributed 55.1% of imports, Nigeria 21.3%, and Ghana 10.8%. Combined, these three countries represented 87.2% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Import values also showed irregular patterns, indicating market instability. The peak was in 2018 at 2 328 thousand US dollars, and the trough in 2019 at 299 thousand US dollars, resulting in a 7.8-fold ratio. In 2020, imports rose to 378 thousand US dollars, a 26.6% increase from the previous year. The largest decline was in 2019, down 87.2%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, soaring by 631.8%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, South Africa, Nigeria, and Ghana remained the key markets for Liberia's wood in the rough imports by value. South Africa accounted for 54.1% of import value, Nigeria for 23.4%, and Ghana for 9.8%. Together, these three countries made up 87.3% of total import flows.

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

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