Wood in the rough market in Senegal

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, Senegalese wood production increased gradually, with market volume rising from 4 173 thousand tons to 4 191 thousand tons. This growth was supported by the adoption of a new Forestry Code in November 2018, which modernized forest management and defined clear rules for forest concessions and usage rights. Additionally, World Bank-funded forest management projects enabled rural communities to capture a share of forestry fees and become producers of charcoal, competing with traditional urban operators and contributing to overall output.

The upward trend persisted through 2021 and 2022, with market volume climbing to 4 213 thousand tons by 2022, reflecting consistent annual increments that underscored stable demand and sustained harvesting activities.

In 2023, the market reached 4 226 thousand tons. Regulatory changes in France imposed dry-wood requirements for logs under two meters and mandatory labeling, driving up raw wood prices by 20% from June 2023. Entering 2024, a COVID-19 related tax on the tropical timber industry increased by 40% from September, raising production costs, while strong local fuelwood demand – half the population relies on wood for energy – and the expanding market share of B.F.T Sarl, a major importer and wholesaler in Dakar, supported ongoing market activity. Senegal’s emergence as an oil producer in 2024 may alter long-term energy dynamics.

Production wood in the rough in Senegal

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

Senegal's production of wood in the rough increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 4,188 thousand tonnes, which remained virtually unchanged from the 2019 level.

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

Exports wood in the rough from Senegal

Exports in kind, t

In 2019, Senegal's cross-border shipments of wood in the rough totaled 15 tonnes, marking a 6.2% decrease from the previous year. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 16 tonnes, with the largest annual increase of 8.2% also occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Guinea-Bissau (30.2% of exports in kind), Mali (19.6%), and the United Kingdom (19.0%) formed the core group of markets for Senegal's exports in kind, together accounting for 68.8% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2019, Senegal's wood in the rough exports reached 17 thousand US dollars, reflecting a modest decline of 8.5% compared to 2018. Between 2017 and 2019, exports grew by 36.6%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 11.0%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 19 thousand US dollars, with the largest annual increase of 49.3% also occurring that year.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, the three largest markets for Senegal's exports in value terms were Malta, Mauritania, and Guinea-Bissau, which together accounted for 71.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports wood in the rough to Senegal

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year decrease, Senegal's imports of wood in the rough increased in 2020. The country imported approximately 3,118 tonnes, representing a limited gain of 6.6% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 36.1%, equating to an annualized decline of 13.9%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 2,924 tonnes, with the largest annual decrease of 25.6% also occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading sources for Senegal's imports in kind of wood in the rough were France (34.7% of imports in kind), Portugal (22.0%), and Belgium (14.7%), which jointly accounted for 71.3% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year drop, Senegal's wood in the rough imports increased in 2020, reaching 1,734 thousand US dollars, up by 7.0% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 37.3%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 14.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1,621 thousand US dollars, with the largest annual decrease of 32.9% also occurring that year.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, France (35.0% of imports in value terms), Portugal (22.1%), and India (13.5%) remained the main markets for Senegal's imports in value terms of wood in the rough, jointly taking 70.6% of total flows.

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

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