South Africa: Industrial Roundwood (Coniferous) Market 2025

Industrial Roundwood (Coniferous) Market Size in South Africa

After two years of growth, the South African industrial roundwood (coniferous) market decreased by -13.3% to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, consumption showed a mild curtailment. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X, and then declined in the following year.

Industrial Roundwood (Coniferous) Production in South Africa

In value terms, industrial roundwood (coniferous) production fell dramatically to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the production volume increased by 45%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X, and then declined markedly in the following year.

Industrial Roundwood (Coniferous) Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2022, approx. X cubic meters of industrial roundwood (coniferous) were exported from South Africa; picking up by 24% compared with 2021. In general, exports showed a significant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when exports increased by 299%. The exports peaked at X cubic meters in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, industrial roundwood (coniferous) exports surged to $X in 2022. Overall, exports recorded significant growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 311% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

China (X cubic meters) was the main destination for industrial roundwood (coniferous) exports from South Africa, accounting for a 53% share of total exports. Moreover, industrial roundwood (coniferous) exports to China exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, India (X cubic meters), threefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Seychelles (X cubic meters), with a 4.1% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to China amounted to +78.8%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: India (+70.3% per year) and Seychelles (+42.3% per year).

In value terms, China ($X) remains the key foreign market for industrial roundwood (coniferous) exports from South Africa, comprising 50% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by India ($X), with a 15% share of total exports. It was followed by Botswana, with a 5.3% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to China stood at +86.6%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: India (+77.8% per year) and Botswana (+35.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average industrial roundwood (coniferous) export price amounted to $X per cubic meter, with a decrease of -4.5% against the previous year. In general, export price indicated a tangible expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, industrial roundwood (coniferous) export price increased by +81.4% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 90% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per cubic meter, and then reduced slightly in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Tanzania ($X per cubic meter), while the average price for exports to China ($X per cubic meter) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Maldives (+18.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Industrial Roundwood (Coniferous) Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2022, overseas purchases of industrial roundwood (coniferous) increased by 4,619% to X cubic meters, rising for the second year in a row after three years of decline. Over the period under review, imports showed prominent growth. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, industrial roundwood (coniferous) imports surged to $X in 2022. Overall, imports saw a strong increase. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Swaziland (X cubic meters) was the main supplier of industrial roundwood (coniferous) to South Africa, with a 97% share of total imports. It was followed by the Netherlands (X cubic meters), with a 1.5% share of total imports. Zambia (X cubic meters) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 1% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from Swaziland amounted to +60.9%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the Netherlands (-20.2% per year) and Zambia (-12.7% per year).

In value terms, Swaziland ($X) constituted the largest supplier of industrial roundwood (coniferous) to South Africa, comprising 95% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Zambia ($X), with a 2.4% share of total imports. It was followed by the Netherlands, with a 1.9% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from Swaziland totaled +52.1%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Zambia (+2.4% per year) and the Netherlands (-10.5% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average industrial roundwood (coniferous) import price amounted to $X per cubic meter, with a decrease of -42.2% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when the average import price increased by 83%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per cubic meter. From 2020 to 2022, the average import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Zambia ($X per cubic meter), while the price for Swaziland ($X per cubic meter) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Lesotho (+30.1%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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