Wood in the rough market in Zimbabwe

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for wood in the rough in Zimbabwe increased gradually from 6 441 тыс. т in 2018 to 6 596 тыс. т in 2023. This growth occurred despite reported declines in timber hectarage from 120 000 to 70 000 hectares due to illegal settlers, mining, veld fires, and land reform challenges. The Zimbabwe Forestry Commission, a state-owned parastatal, played a key role in forest resource management and conservation, likely supporting stable production through regulatory efforts.

In value terms, the market peaked at $1 893 млн in 2019, then fell to $1 406 млн in 2022 before recovering to $1 639 млн in 2023. The government's remapping of agro-ecological zones in 2022, factoring in climate change impacts, may have influenced forestry policies and market conditions during this volatile period.

Consumer demand for firewood in rural areas continued to pressure forest resources, contributing to deforestation. Meanwhile, the recognition of indigenous hardwood trees' role in climate resilience began shaping conservation strategies, potentially affecting long-term wood supply dynamics.

Production wood in the rough in Zimbabwe

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

Zimbabwe's wood in the rough production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 6 531 K t, marking a modest year-on-year increase of 0.6%. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 2.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Zimbabwe's wood in the rough output was valued at 1 604 M $ US, down 15.6% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value fell by 7.9%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 2.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 901 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 13.1%.

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

Exports wood in the rough from Zimbabwe

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited significant volatility during these years. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 7 262 t and peaked in 2019 at 28 995 t, representing a fourfold difference. In 2020, Zimbabwe exported 16 941 t of wood in the rough, a sharp 41.6% drop year-on-year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 59.8%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 299.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Mozambique and Zambia were the primary destinations for Zimbabwe's wood in the rough exports, together accounting for 81.0% of total volume. Mozambique held a 47.0% share, Zambia 34.1%, with other partners making up the remainder.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market displayed notable volatility over this period. Export value hit its lowest in 2018 at 1 893 K $ US and rose to a peak in 2019 at 8 494 K $ US, a 4.5-fold increase. In 2020, exports totaled 4 160 K $ US, reflecting a steep 51.0% decrease compared to 2019. The largest decline was in 2018 at 61.6%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 348.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Mozambique and Zambia dominated Zimbabwe's wood in the rough exports by value, together representing 86.9% of the total. Other destinations accounted for relatively small shares.

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

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

Imports wood in the rough to Zimbabwe

Imports in kind, t

The market experienced considerable volatility during these years. Imports fell to their lowest in 2018 at 119 t and reached a peak in 2020 at 502 t, showing a 4.2-fold fluctuation. In 2020, Zimbabwe imported approximately 502 t, a 73.3% gain over the previous year. The largest decline was in 2018 at 70.6%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 144.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa was the overwhelmingly dominant supplier of wood in the rough to Zimbabwe, accounting for 99.9% of total imports by volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Import value dropped to a minimum in 2018 at 84 K $ US and peaked in 2019 at 200 K $ US, a 2.4-fold shift. In 2020, imports were valued at 190 K $ US, down 5.2% from the prior year. The largest decline was in 2018 at 47.5%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 138.9%.

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

In the 2017-2020 period, South Africa clearly dominated as the supplier of wood in the rough to Zimbabwe, taking 99.6% of total imports by value.

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

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