Wood in the rough market in New Caledonia

Earlier Report Observations

The New Caledonian wood in the rough market saw a gradual increase in domestic production from 17 911 t in 2018 to 18 207 t in 2023. This growth was supported by the launch of the SAEM SudForêt reforestation project in 2018, which aimed to plant 1 500 hectares over five years and develop local processing stages such as sawing and drying. Market volume fluctuated between 18 336 t and 19 327 t during the period, influenced by varying import levels. In 2020, imports surged to 752 t, highlighting the market's heavy reliance on foreign supply, as local producers held less than 20% share due to limited forest resources and high production costs. This led the Competition Authority to consider tariff measures to improve local competitiveness.

After imports dipped to 526 t in 2021, market volume recovered sharply to 19 327 t in 2022 as imports jumped to 1 225 t. In 2023, the government banned exports of raw sandalwood to preserve the dwindling resource and encourage local transformation, though exports remained minimal. Market volume settled at 18 849 t that year as imports normalized to 681 t.

By 2024, imports had fallen to 213 t amid a broader economic crisis affecting key local industries like nickel and a downturn in new construction, factors that likely reduced demand for wood products.

Production wood in the rough in New Caledonia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of wood in the rough, 2017-2020

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

New Caledonia's production of wood in the rough increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 18 025 tonnes, showing only a negligible year-over-year variation compared to 2019.

Annual dynamics of production in New Caledonia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports wood in the rough from New Caledonia

Exports in kind, t

After declining for two years, New Caledonia's cross-border shipments of wood in the rough increased in 2020. The country exported 47.6 tonnes that year, which was 19.6% higher than in 2019. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 22.3%, averaging an annual decline of 8.1%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 39.8 tonnes, which also saw the largest year-over-year drop of 20.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, New Caledonia's wood in the rough exports were almost exclusively shipped to Vanuatu, which accounted for 100.0% of total exports in kind during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, New Caledonia's wood in the rough exports totaled 38.3 thousand US dollars, marking an 8.5% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, however, exports decreased by 11.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 35.3 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 27.4%. In contrast, the highest value occurred in 2018 at 48.7 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase of 12.8% that year.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Vanuatu remained the dominant and nearly exclusive destination for New Caledonia's wood in the rough exports in value terms, holding a 100.0% share.

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

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

Imports wood in the rough to New Caledonia

Imports in kind, t

The import market for wood in the rough in New Caledonia showed volatility during the observed period. In 2020, imports reached 752.2 tonnes, an 84.2% increase from 2019. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 408.3 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 31.9%. Overall, there was a 1.8-fold variation between the peak in 2020 and the low in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, New Zealand strongly dominated New Caledonia's wood in the rough imports in kind, accounting for 80.0% of total flows, while other partners held relatively minor shares.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, New Caledonia's wood in the rough imports totaled 288.1 thousand US dollars, representing a 60.2% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 36.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 179.9 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 42.9%. The highest value occurred in 2018 at 315.0 thousand US dollars.

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

From 2017 to 2020, New Zealand remained the dominant partner for New Caledonia's wood in the rough imports in value terms, with an 82.5% share of total flows, while other markets contributed smaller portions.

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

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