Wood in the rough market in Tanzania

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for wood in the rough in Tanzania grew consistently from 17 973 thousand tons in 2018 to 18 947 thousand tons in 2023. This increase was fueled by rising urban demand for wood in construction and energy, which prompted a shift from large corporate and government plantations to small and medium tree farmers. National forest policies emphasizing private sector participation further encouraged tree planting and production.

The engineered wood segment, including plywood and MDF, gained popularity due to higher durability and versatility, supported by urbanization and growing disposable income. This trend boosted consumption of raw wood. At the same time, heavy reliance on wood-based energy by households led to deforestation concerns, spurring studies on sustainable forestry practices in regions like Mufindi.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2021 caused supply chain disruptions, but the market continued to expand. Global environmental regulations and trends toward eco-friendly building materials influenced trade dynamics, while TANESCO's consideration of concrete poles for power lines introduced a potential shift in demand for wood poles. Small-scale forestry expansion remained a key driver throughout the period.

Production wood in the rough in Tanzania

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Tanzania ranked 26th globally in the production of wood in the rough.

Top producers of wood in the rough, 2017-2020

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

Tanzania's production of wood in the rough grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 18 352 K t, showing a slight year-over-year improvement of 1.1%. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.0%.

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

Exports wood in the rough from Tanzania

Exports in kind, t

The market experienced noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 2 781 t and peaked in 2019 at 8 113 t, representing a 2.9-fold difference. In 2020, wood in the rough exports from Tanzania amounted to 5 126 t, reflecting a 36.8% decline from the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a growth of 191.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China was the dominant market for Tanzania's wood in the rough exports, accounting for 79.0% of total flows, while other countries made up the remaining share.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed significant volatility during these years. Exports in value terms hit their lowest in 2018 at 117 K $ US and reached their highest in 2019 at 2 269 K $ US, a 19-fold variation. In 2020, wood in the rough exports from Tanzania stood at 1 690 K $ US, indicating a 25.5% drop compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 86.9%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a growth of 1 832.7%.

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

During 2017-2020, China accounted for 71.9% of Tanzania's total wood in the rough exports in value terms, with the remaining flows distributed among multiple smaller partners.

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

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

Imports wood in the rough to Tanzania

Imports in kind, t

The market exhibited high volatility during these years. Imports in volume terms were at their lowest in 2018 at 2 t and peaked in 2017, showing a 3 994-fold gap. In 2020, Tanzania imported 144 t of wood in the rough, which is 59.3% lower than the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 100.0%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a growth of 18 617.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa effectively dominated Tanzania's wood in the rough imports in kind, holding a 97.2% share of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Noticeable fluctuations characterized the market performance during this period. Imports in value terms dropped to their minimum in 2018 at 1 K $ US and climbed to their maximum in 2017, reflecting a 4 731-fold shift. In 2020, wood in the rough deliveries to Tanzania came to 70 K $ US, down by 81.5% versus the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 100.0%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a growth of 45 426.9%.

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

In 2017-2020, the import market was highly concentrated, with South Africa alone responsible for 97.6% of total imports in value terms.

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

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