Wood in the rough market in South America

Earlier Report Observations

The South American market for wood in the rough began the period at 267.2 million tonnes in 2018, declining to 254.6 million tonnes the following year before partially recovering to 260.3 million tonnes in 2020.

A phase of steady growth followed, lifting the market volume to 270.8 million tonnes in 2021 and further to 282.8 million tonnes in 2022. This expansion was anchored in Brazil, where primary wood production, including sawnwood, laminates, and panels, increased significantly; laminate production tripled in 2021. Concurrently, estimated demand for pine in southern Brazil reached 54.8 million m³/year, with expectations for further growth from new industrial projects. By 2022, projections that Brazilian timber demand could quadruple by 2030, driven by constrained supply of native wood due to enhanced environmental protection, supported ongoing market growth.

Growth nearly stabilized in 2023, with the market reaching 283.8 million tonnes. This deceleration coincided with an 11.8% drop in exports of rough eucalyptus logs from South America, while persistent regulatory and environmental factors in Brazil continued to limit native supply and bolster demand for plantation wood and industrialized products.

Production wood in the rough in South America

In kind, 2017-2020, M t

Top producers of wood in the rough, 2017-2020

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

In South America, wood in the rough production reached 272.0 million tonnes in 2020, marking a 2.4% increase from the previous year. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 265.6 million tonnes, while the highest was in 2018 at 278.1 million tonnes. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 with a 4.5% drop, whereas the largest increase was in 2018 with a 2.8% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in South America in kind, 2017-2020, M t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

South America's wood in the rough production value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 22 389 million US dollars, representing a modest decrease of 1.6% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value fell by 4.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.7%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 25 360 million US dollars. The most substantial decline occurred in 2019 with a 10.3% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018 with a 7.7% gain.

Annual dynamics of production in South America in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports wood in the rough from South America

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, South America's wood in the rough exports amounted to 11 728 thousand tonnes, showing a 6.9% increase from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 14.4%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 4.6%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 with a 0.7% decrease, while the most significant increase occurred in 2018 with a 7.7% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export structure in volume terms was dominated by Free Zones and China, which together accounted for 87.6% of total flows, with other markets representing a smaller share.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, South America's wood in the rough exports reached 966 million US dollars, reflecting a slight gain of 2.7% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value increased by 8.1%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 2.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 007 million US dollars. The most notable decline occurred in 2019 with a 6.7% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018 with a 12.8% rise.

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

During 2017-2020, South America's wood in the rough exports in value terms were primarily directed towards Free Zones and China, whose combined share reached 80.2% of total flows, with other destinations playing a secondary role.

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

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

Imports wood in the rough to South America

Imports in kind, K t

South America's wood in the rough imports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 37 thousand tonnes, indicating an 11.8% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 31.4%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 11.8%. The peak volume was recorded in 2018 at 71 thousand tonnes. The most significant drop occurred in 2019 with a 40.5% decrease, while the largest increase was in 2018 with a 30.6% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States and Canada consistently remained the main sources for imports in volume terms, together accounting for 20.6% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

South America's wood in the rough imports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totalled 13 million US dollars, which is 24.1% lower than in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 5.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.8%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 19 million US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 50.4% gain.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States and Canada contributed the most to imports in value terms, together representing 49.3% of total flows.

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

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