SADC: Wood Pellets Market 2025

Wood Pellets Market Size in SADC

The SADC wood pellets market totaled $X in 2022, remaining stable against the previous year. The total consumption indicated a resilient increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption decreased by -21.3% against 2020 indices. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Wood Pellets Production in SADC

In value terms, wood pellets production amounted to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, showed a resilient expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 132%. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Wood Pellets Exports

Exports in SADC

In 2022, approx. X tons of wood pellets were exported in SADC; increasing by 217% compared with the year before. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a dramatic downturn. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, wood pellets exports soared to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, saw a dramatic downturn. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

South Africa represented the key exporting country with an export of around X tons, which resulted at 65% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Namibia (X tons), comprising a 27% share of total exports. The following exporters - Swaziland (X tons) and Zimbabwe (X tons) - together made up 7.4% of total exports.

Exports from South Africa decreased at an average annual rate of -36.0% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Namibia (+33.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Namibia emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in SADC, with a CAGR of +33.5% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Zimbabwe (-22.9%) and Swaziland (-36.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Namibia (+27 p.p.) and Zimbabwe (+2.7 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Swaziland and South Africa saw its share reduced by -2% and -28% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, the largest wood pellets supplying countries in SADC were Namibia ($X), South Africa ($X) and Swaziland ($X), together accounting for 99% of total exports.

Among the main exporting countries, Namibia, with a CAGR of +62.9%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced a decline in the exports figures.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in SADC stood at $X per ton in 2022, picking up by 27% against the previous year. In general, the export price enjoyed a buoyant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 an increase of 94% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the peak figure in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Namibia ($X per ton), while Zimbabwe ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Namibia (+22.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Wood Pellets Imports

Imports in SADC

Wood pellets imports was estimated at X tons in 2022, remaining stable against the year before. In general, imports, however, continue to indicate a dramatic decrease. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when imports increased by 9.6%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, wood pellets imports reduced markedly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, saw a abrupt decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 72% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

South Africa was the largest importer of wood pellets in SADC, with the volume of imports finishing at X tons, which was near 75% of total imports in 2022. Swaziland (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 13% share, followed by Zimbabwe (6.1%). Mozambique (X tons) took a relatively small share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to wood pellets imports into South Africa stood at -25.7%. At the same time, Zimbabwe (+2.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Zimbabwe emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in SADC, with a CAGR of +2.8% from 2012-2022. Mozambique experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Swaziland (-12.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Swaziland (+9.8 p.p.), Zimbabwe (+5.8 p.p.) and Mozambique (+2.1 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of South Africa (-20.7 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Swaziland ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported wood pellets in SADC, comprising 53% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by South Africa ($X), with a 22% share of total imports. It was followed by Mozambique, with a 3.2% share.

In Swaziland, wood pellets imports increased at an average annual rate of +8.3% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: South Africa (-22.1% per year) and Mozambique (-11.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in SADC amounted to $X per ton, dropping by -20.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, posted a resilient increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 159% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton, and then fell dramatically in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Swaziland ($X per ton), while South Africa ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Swaziland (+24.1%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform