Rough wood exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
South Africa exported $104.9 million of rough wood in 2024 (631.6 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. Value rose 30% on 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 9% a year on average.
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 | $104.9M | 631.6K t |
| 2023 | $81.0M | 522.4K t |
| 2022 | $96.7M | 570.2K t |
| 2021 | $94.8M | 554.1K t |
| 2020 | $77.1M | 521.1K t |
| 2019 | $75.4M | 503.9K t |
| 2018 | $87.6M | 474.3K t |
| 2017 | $57.0M | 297.6K t |
Where South Africa exports rough wood to
The largest buyer markets were China (36%), India (11%), Namibia (11%). Among the main buyer markets, Senegal grew fastest (+239% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $37.7M | 36% |
| India | $11.7M | 11% |
| Namibia | $11.1M | 11% |
| Botswana | $9.4M | 9% |
| Mozambique | $8.6M | 8.2% |
| Senegal | $4.6M | 4.4% |
| Netherlands | $1.9M | 1.9% |
| Mauritius | $1.9M | 1.8% |
| Vietnam | $1.9M | 1.8% |
| United Arab Emirates | $1.8M | 1.7% |
Product types under HS 4403
| 4403.22 | Wood: coniferous species, of pine (Pinus spp.), in the rough, whether or not stripped of bark or sapwood, or roughly squared, untreated, of which any… | 26% |
| 4403.11 | Wood: coniferous species, in the rough, whether or not stripped of bark or sapwood, or roughly squared: treated with paint, stains, creosote or other… | 23% |
| 4403.98 | Wood: of eucalyptus (Eucalyptus spp.), in the rough, whether or not stripped of bark or sapwood, or roughly squared, untreated | 21% |
| 4403.26 | Wood: coniferous species n.e.c in headings 4403.22 or 4403.24, in the rough, whether or not stripped of bark or sapwood, or roughly squared… | 7.2% |
| 4403.21 | Wood: coniferous species, of pine (Pinus spp.), in the rough, whether or not stripped of bark or sapwood, or roughly squared, untreated, of which any… | 6.5% |
| 4403.99 | Wood: in the rough, whether or not stripped of bark or sapwood, or roughly squared, untreated, n.e.c. in heading no. 4403 | 6% |
| 4403.12 | Wood: non-coniferous species, in the rough, whether or not stripped of bark or sapwood, or roughly squared: treated with paint, stains, creosote or… | 5.2% |
| 4403.49 | Wood, tropical: other than dark red meranti, light red meranti and meranti bakau, in the rough, whether or not stripped of bark or sapwood, or… | 4.4% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 4403.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.17 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.
Rough wood imports to South Africa
Imports of rough wood by South Africa reached $9.5 million in 2024 (18.6 thousand tonnes). One supplier dominates: Eswatini accounted for 76% of the value. Among the main suppliers, Uruguay grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Eswatini | $7.3M | 76% |
| Namibia | $776K | 8.1% |
| Uruguay | $525K | 5.5% |
| Malaysia | $473K | 5% |
| United States | $145K | 1.5% |
| Cameroon | $84K | 0.9% |
| Denmark | $52K | 0.6% |
| Germany | $49K | 0.5% |
| Netherlands | $42K | 0.4% |
| Zimbabwe | $39K | 0.4% |
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 4403: Wood in the rough, whether or not stripped of bark or sapwood, or roughly squared.
Common questions
What is the value of rough wood exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported rough wood worth $104.9 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 631.6 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 28th of 151 countries worldwide, with 1% of world exports. The value was up 30% on 2023.
Which countries buy rough wood from South Africa?
China was the largest buyer with 36% of the value ($37.7 million), followed by India (11%) and Namibia (11%). The top three together account for 58%, out of 71 buyer countries in total. Senegal grew fastest among the top ten, up 239% on the year.
What is the average export price of rough wood per kg?
The average declared export value was about $0.17 per kg in 2024, 13% above 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 rough wood from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $57.0 million in 2017 to $104.9 million in 2024, an increase of 84%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import rough wood?
Yes. South Africa imported $9.5 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Eswatini, Namibia and Uruguay. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $95.4 million a year.
What is the HS code for rough wood?
The HS code for rough wood is heading 4403. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 4403.22 (26% of the value) and 4403.11 (23%). It sits in HS chapter 44 (wood and articles of wood; wood charcoal). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 4403 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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