Fuel wood and wood waste exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
Exports of fuel wood and wood waste by South Africa reached $213.2 million in 2024 (1.51 million tonnes). Its share of world exports was 2%. The value was almost unchanged from 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2022, at $277.7 million.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Exports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $213.2M | 1.51M t |
| 2023 | $215.6M | 1.70M t |
| 2022 | $277.7M | 2.27M t |
| 2021 | $235.2M | 2.03M t |
| 2020 | $158.4M | 1.30M t |
| 2019 | $221.9M | 1.69M t |
| 2018 | $241.4M | 1.74M t |
| 2017 | $249.8M | 2.06M t |
Where South Africa exports fuel wood and wood waste to
One buyer market dominates: Japan accounted for 83% of the value.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | $176.9M | 83% |
| China | $13.0M | 6.1% |
| Eswatini | $10.8M | 5.1% |
| India | $3.6M | 1.7% |
| Saudi Arabia | $2.6M | 1.2% |
| United Kingdom | $2.2M | 1% |
| Botswana | $1.1M | 0.5% |
| United Arab Emirates | $563K | 0.3% |
| Kuwait | $521K | 0.2% |
| Mauritius | $420K | 0.2% |
Product types under HS 4401
| 4401.22 | Wood: for fuel, in chips or particles, non-coniferous, whether or not agglomerated | 91% |
| 4401.11 | Wood: for fuel, in logs, in billets, in twigs, in faggots or similar forms, whether or not agglomerated, coniferous | 5.2% |
| 4401.12 | Wood: for fuel, in logs, in billets, in twigs, in faggots or similar forms, whether or not agglomerated, non-coniferous | 2.1% |
| 4401.39 | Wood: for fuel, sawdust and wood waste and scrap, agglomerated in logs, briquettes, pellets or similar forms: other than wood pellets | 0.9% |
| 4401.21 | Wood: for fuel, in chips or particles, coniferous, whether or not agglomerated | 0.8% |
| 4401.40 | Wood: for fuel, sawdust and wood waste and scrap, not agglomerated | 0.3% |
| 4401.31 | Wood: for fuel, sawdust and wood waste and scrap, agglomerated in logs, briquettes, pellets or similar forms: wood pellets | 0.1% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 4401.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.14 per kg, close to the world average of $0.15.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Fuel wood and wood waste imports to South Africa
Imports of fuel wood and wood waste by South Africa reached $45.0 million in 2024 (742.5 thousand tonnes). Eswatini alone supplied 87% of it.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Eswatini | $39.1M | 87% |
| Namibia | $5.0M | 11% |
| Germany | $397K | 0.9% |
| France | $227K | 0.5% |
| United States | $87K | 0.2% |
| Italy | $77K | 0.2% |
| Estonia | $46K | 0.1% |
| Netherlands | $38K | 0.1% |
| Hungary | $23K | 0.1% |
| Poland | $18K | 0% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
Public statistics stop at country totals and the last published year. EximDataX shows the shipment records underneath: the companies, dates, quantities and declared values, updated weekly.
Shipment records are in the platform
Tell us what you trade and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
Mirror data: built from the shipment records of the countries that trade with it.
Updated weekly on EximDataX (some markets daily), while public statistics stop at 2024.
Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 4401: Fuel wood, in logs, billets, twigs, faggots or similar forms; wood in chip or particles; sawdust and wood waste and scrap, whether or not agglomerated in logs, briquettes, pellets or similar forms.
Common questions
What is the value of fuel wood and wood waste exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported fuel wood and wood waste worth $213.2 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 1.51 million tonnes. That ranks it 14th of 147 countries worldwide, with 2% of world exports. The value was down 1% on 2023.
Which countries buy fuel wood and wood waste from South Africa?
Japan was the largest buyer with 83% of the value ($176.9 million), followed by China (6%) and Eswatini (5%). The top three together account for 94%, out of 50 buyer countries in total. The United Arab Emirates grew fastest among the top ten, up 46% on the year.
What is the average export price of fuel wood and wood waste per kg?
The average declared export value was about $0.14 per kg in 2024, 7% below the world average of $0.15 per kg. It is total declared value divided by total weight, so it blends every grade and size; use it as a benchmark, not a quote. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
How have exports of fuel wood and wood waste from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $249.8 million in 2017 to $213.2 million in 2024, a fall of 15%. The peak was 2022 at $277.7 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import fuel wood and wood waste?
Yes. South Africa imported $45.0 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Eswatini, Namibia and Germany. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $168.2 million a year.
What is the HS code for fuel wood and wood waste?
The HS code for fuel wood and wood waste is heading 4401. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 4401.22 (90% of the value) and 4401.11 (5%). It sits in HS chapter 44 (wood and articles of wood; wood charcoal). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 4401 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
Public statistics stop at country totals. EximDataX rebuilds South Africa trade from the customs records of its trading partners, updated weekly, so you can see the companies that ship to and from it. Tell us your product and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
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