Wood in the rough market in Sub-Saharan Africa, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the physical volume of the wood in the rough market in Sub-Saharan Africa grew steadily from 467.4 million tons to 490.7 million tons. This expansion was underpinned by the region's ongoing demographic and economic growth, which boosted demand for forest products for construction and urban development. A consistent base of local demand was provided by the fact that over 60% of households in the region rely primarily on wood fuel for cooking, supporting consumption. Furthermore, Gabon's long-standing policy, which since 2010 has prohibited the export of unprocessed logs, encouraged domestic processing and helped retain raw material within the regional market, contributing to the rise in production.

In value terms, the market peaked at $124.3 billion in 2019 before declining to $93.0 billion by 2023. This fluctuation in market value occurred alongside evolving global supply chain conditions and logistical costs. Significant regulatory and logistical events emerged in the later period, such as the Red Sea shipping disruptions in early 2024, which increased freight rates and delivery times, affecting the cost structure of timber trade.

The market landscape was further shaped by notable regulatory shifts and trade patterns. The import of tropical wood into Sub-Saharan Africa increased by 7% in October 2023 compared to the previous year, with particular growth in species like mahogany, indicating rising interest in specific timber segments. Subsequent regulatory updates, including the modernization of Ghana's shipping authority law and the alignment of the Sabah TLAS certification with the EUDR in 2024, aimed to enhance sustainability, traceability, and governance within the tropical timber trade.

Production wood in the rough in Sub-Saharan Africa

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

Sub-Saharan Africa's production of wood in the rough grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 477.3 million tons, marking a 0.9% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 3%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020, M t

In value, 2017-2020, B $ US

In 2020, the value of wood in the rough production in Sub-Saharan Africa was 117.9 billion US dollars, showing a gradual decline of 5.6% compared to the year before. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value increased by 9.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 100.9 billion US dollars, while the highest was in 2019 at 124.9 billion US dollars. The largest decrease occurred in 2018 at 6.3%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 23.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020, B $ US

Exports wood in the rough from Sub-Saharan Africa

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Sub-Saharan Africa exported 2,653 thousand tons of wood in the rough, up 4.2% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 14.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.5%. The largest decline was in 2019 at 0.0%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 9.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the main buyers of wood in the rough from Sub-Saharan Africa were China, accounting for 54.7% of exports in kind, Vietnam with 19.6%, and India with 4.1%. Together, these three countries made up 78.4% of total exports in kind.

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

World map of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, Sub-Saharan Africa's wood in the rough export value declined. In 2020, export value stood at 655.1 million US dollars, down 2.5% year-on-year. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 21.2%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 6.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 672.1 million US dollars, and the largest increase occurred that same year at 22.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, Vietnam, and India formed the primary market cluster for exports in value terms. China held 59.7% of exports, Vietnam 19.4%, and India 4.4%, together representing 83.5% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020

Imports wood in the rough to Sub-Saharan Africa

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Sub-Saharan Africa imported 165 thousand tons of wood in the rough, showing minimal change from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 5.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.8%. The peak was in 2018 at 292 thousand tons. The largest decline was in 2019 at 43.5%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 67.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the geographical structure of imports in kind was highly diversified. The United States accounted for 6.9% of imports, Chile for 2.7%, and China for 1.3%, together making up just 10.9% of total flows. The remaining 89.1% was spread across numerous smaller partner countries.

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

World map of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 2.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Sub-Saharan Africa imported 65.2 million US dollars of wood in the rough, up 1.5% from 2019. The highest value was in 2018 at 147.0 million US dollars. The largest decline was in 2019 at 56.3%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 135.2%.

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

The structure of imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 can be described as diversified. The United States accounted for 4.5% of imports, Malaysia for 3.0%, and Chile for 1.8%, together representing only 9.2% of total flows, with no single country holding a clearly dominant position.

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

World map of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020