South Africa: Sawnwood (Non-Coniferous) Market 2025

Sawnwood (Non-Coniferous) Market Size in South Africa

In 2022, the South African sawnwood (non-coniferous) market was finally on the rise to reach $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year declining trend. Over the period under review, consumption, however, continues to indicate a noticeable decrease. Sawnwood (non-coniferous) consumption peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Sawnwood (Non-Coniferous) Production in South Africa

In value terms, sawnwood (non-coniferous) production reduced notably to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production saw a buoyant expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 142% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Sawnwood (Non-Coniferous) Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2022, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in shipments abroad of sawnwood (non-coniferous), when their volume increased by 23% to X cubic meters. In general, exports, however, showed a sharp curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when exports increased by 35% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X cubic meters in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, sawnwood (non-coniferous) exports reduced to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, showed a abrupt slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 31%. The exports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Saudi Arabia (X cubic meters), Botswana (X cubic meters) and Lesotho (X cubic meters) were the main destinations of sawnwood (non-coniferous) exports from South Africa, with a combined 79% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Saudi Arabia (with a CAGR of +36.8%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced a decline.

In value terms, Botswana ($X) remains the key foreign market for sawnwood (non-coniferous) exports from South Africa, comprising 31% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Saudi Arabia ($X), with a 14% share of total exports. It was followed by Namibia, with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to Botswana amounted to -5.9%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Saudi Arabia (+22.1% per year) and Namibia (-16.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average sawnwood (non-coniferous) export price amounted to $X per cubic meter, falling by -25.5% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, showed a remarkable increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 an increase of 46%. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the maximum at $X per cubic meter in 2021, and then reduced remarkably in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Namibia ($X per cubic meter), while the average price for exports to Zambia ($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 Namibia (+26.4%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Sawnwood (Non-Coniferous) Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2022, approx. X cubic meters of sawnwood (non-coniferous) were imported into South Africa; shrinking by -21.1% compared with 2021 figures. Over the period under review, imports saw a deep reduction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 18% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X cubic meters. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, sawnwood (non-coniferous) imports rose sharply to $X in 2022. Overall, imports continue to indicate a deep reduction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 40%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Malaysia (X cubic meters) constituted the largest supplier of sawnwood (non-coniferous) to South Africa, with a 47% share of total imports. Moreover, sawnwood (non-coniferous) imports from Malaysia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, the United States (X cubic meters), fivefold. The third position in this ranking was held by Indonesia (X cubic meters), with an 8.3% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from Malaysia amounted to -14.1%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the United States (-12.8% per year) and Indonesia (-2.5% per year).

In value terms, the largest sawnwood (non-coniferous) suppliers to South Africa were Malaysia ($X), the United States ($X) and Indonesia ($X), with a combined 57% share of total imports. Brazil, Uruguay, China, Gabon, Germany and Swaziland lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 23%.

China, with a CAGR of +10.6%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average sawnwood (non-coniferous) import price stood at $X per cubic meter in 2022, picking up by 34% against the previous year. Overall, the import price saw a remarkable increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 an increase of 80%. The import price peaked in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the near future.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Swaziland ($X per cubic meter), while the price for Malaysia ($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 Swaziland (+27.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :