Wood in the rough market in MENA

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for wood in the rough in the MENA region stood at 28 339 thousand metric tons in 2018, a level supported by strong demand for wooden furniture driven by interior design trends and consumer preference for natural, eco-friendly materials. Innovations like Desert Board, an engineered wood made from agricultural waste, and key industry gatherings such as the Dubai Wood Show highlighted the market's vitality during this period.

Market volume then gradually contracted to 27 228 thousand metric tons by 2020. A subsequent recovery saw it reach 27 558 thousand metric tons in 2022, aided by the growth of the regional wooden furniture market. This expansion was fueled by rising demand for hardwood and softwood, alongside the broadening of distribution channels through retail, specialty stores, and e-commerce.

In 2023, the market stabilized at 27 338 thousand metric tons. This period coincided with significant investment in woodworking machinery, reflecting a regional push to adopt advanced production technology. Government facilities in Egypt, designed to lower local production costs by easing imports of equipment and raw materials, further underscored efforts to modernize the industry's foundation.

Production wood in the rough in MENA

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

After two consecutive years of growth, wood in the rough production in the MENA region declined. In 2019, production reached its peak at 26 978 K t. The following year, in 2020, output remained virtually unchanged at 26 938 K t. The largest annual increase occurred in 2018, with a modest rise of 0.3%.

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

Exports wood in the rough from MENA

Exports in kind, K t

The export market for wood in the rough from MENA showed significant volatility during this period. In 2018, exports peaked at 88 K t, marking the highest volume and a substantial increase of 215.8% from the previous year. However, in 2019, exports plummeted to their lowest point at 15 K t, representing a sharp decline of 82.6%. By 2020, shipments recovered to 22 K t, showing a notable increase of 44.4% compared to 2019. Overall, exports varied by a factor of 5.7 between the maximum in 2018 and the minimum in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the largest buyers of wood in the rough from MENA were Somalia, accounting for 11.3% of exports in kind, Pakistan with 4.0%, and Kenya at 2.3%. Together, these three countries contributed 17.6% of total exports in kind, indicating a diversified export structure with no single dominant market.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Export values for wood in the rough from MENA exhibited considerable volatility. In 2018, exports surged by 225.1%, reaching a peak. However, in 2019, they declined by 29.2%. By 2020, export values rebounded sharply to 17.0 M $ US, representing a significant increase of 54.6% compared to the previous year. Over the entire period from 2017 to 2020, exports varied by a factor of 3.6 between the peak in 2020 and the trough in 2017.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading destinations for wood in the rough exports from MENA in value terms were France, with a dominant share of 55.0%, China at 5.9%, and Somalia with 2.3%. Combined, these three countries accounted for 63.2% of total export flows, highlighting a more concentrated market structure compared to exports in kind.

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

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

Imports wood in the rough to MENA

Imports in kind, K t

Import volumes of wood in the rough into MENA experienced irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market. In 2018, imports reached their highest level at 1 509 K t, with a substantial increase of 133.8% from the previous year. The following year, in 2019, imports fell sharply by 75.2%. By 2020, imports declined further to 312 K t, down by 16.5% compared to 2019. Overall, imports varied by a factor of 4.8 between the peak in 2018 and the trough in 2020.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources of wood in the rough imports into MENA were Finland, contributing 30.6% of imports in kind, France with 12.4%, and Belgium at 8.2%. Together, these three countries accounted for 51.1% of total imports in kind, serving as the primary suppliers to the region.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

MENA's imports of wood in the rough in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2018, imports peaked at 139.0 M $ US, with an increase of 36.1% from the previous year. However, in 2019, imports fell by 23.9%. By 2020, imports decreased further to 95.0 M $ US, down by 10.2% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, total imports decreased by 7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -2.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical structure of wood in the rough imports into MENA in value terms was highly diversified. The top three suppliers were Finland, with 36.6% of imports in value terms, Belgium at 7.1%, and France with 5.8%. Together, they accounted for 49.5% of total flows, while the remaining 50.5% was distributed among numerous smaller partner countries, indicating a broad and varied import base.

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

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