Wood in the rough market in Western Asia, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The market for wood in the rough in Western Asia showed significant volatility between 2018 and 2023. Consumption began at 22.3 million tons in 2018, dipped slightly to 21.4 million tons in 2019, and stabilized near 21.5 million tons in 2020. A major shift occurred in 2021, with the market volume jumping to 25.3 million tons, and it held near that peak at 25.5 million tons in 2022. This upward trajectory was abruptly reversed in 2023, when consumption fell sharply to 20.5 million tons.

The notable market expansion in 2021 coincided with reported strength in the global wood chips industry. Sources indicated the wood chips market reached a value exceeding $10 billion that year, driven significantly by demand from the Asia-Pacific region. This heightened industrial demand for wood raw material likely stimulated domestic production and contributed to the increased market volume for wood in the rough in the region.

The subsequent market contraction in 2023 brought consumption back to levels comparable to 2018, concluding a period of substantial fluctuation. While specific drivers for the decline are not detailed in the sources for that year, broader industry observations highlight persistent challenges such as foreign exchange volatility and elevated transportation and energy costs, which can pressure wood markets and affect consumption levels.

Production wood in the rough in Western Asia

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

Western Asia's production of wood in the rough has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 21 420 thousand tonnes, marking a 0.8% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 13.7%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 4.4%.

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

Exports wood in the rough from Western Asia

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed significant volatility during these years. Exports hit their lowest point in 2017, then surged to a peak in 2018, with a fourfold difference between these extremes. In 2020, Western Asia exported 47 thousand tonnes of wood in the rough, up 6.3% from the year before. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 104 thousand tonnes. The sharpest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 57.6%, while the largest increase was in 2018, jumping by 300.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Western Asia's exports of wood in the rough were distributed across a diverse range of partner countries. Iran accounted for 8.5% of exports, Pakistan for 2.8%, and Somalia for 2.1%, with these three countries together making up just 13.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market experienced notable volatility during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, showing a 4.3-fold difference. In 2020, Western Asia exported wood in the rough worth 24 923 thousand US dollars, a 27.7% increase from the previous year. The largest decline was in 2019, down 3.3%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, up 247.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France, China, and Pakistan played significant but not dominant roles as buyers of wood in the rough from Western Asia. France accounted for 37.7% of export value, China for 4.3%, and Pakistan for 2.6%, with their combined share totaling 44.6% of total export value.

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

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

Imports wood in the rough to Western Asia

Imports in kind, K t

The market was marked by volatility during these years. Imports fell to their lowest point in 2020 after peaking in 2018, with an 8.3-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, Western Asia imported 166 thousand tonnes of wood in the rough, a 24.8% decrease from the previous year. The highest import volume was in 2018 at 1 372 thousand tonnes. The sharpest decline occurred in 2019, down 83.9%, while the largest increase was in 2018, up 437.5%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, imports of wood in the rough to Western Asia were not heavily concentrated on a few key markets. The United States accounted for 10.1% of imports, Cameroon for 6.4%, and Bulgaria for 5.8%, with these three countries together representing only 22.3% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Imports of wood in the rough to Western Asia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 60 337 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 10.9% drop compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 10.2%, equating to an average annual decline of 3.5%. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 96 337 thousand US dollars. The largest decline was in 2019, down 29.7%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, up 43.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Finland, and Cameroon were notable but not dominant suppliers of wood in the rough to Western Asia. The United States accounted for 13.2% of import value, Finland for 6.6%, and Cameroon for 6.2%, with their combined share reaching 26.0% of total import value.

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

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