Rough wood exports from Zambia: data, top buyers and prices
Zambia exported $20.7 million of rough wood in 2024 (88.8 thousand tonnes). That is 25% more than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 23% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2017, at $126.1 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 | $20.7M | 88.8K t |
| 2023 | $16.5M | 56.3K t |
| 2022 | $18.9M | 59.7K t |
| 2021 | $11.2M | 28.7K t |
| 2020 | $5.9M | 21.4K t |
| 2019 | $36.7M | 41.9K t |
| 2018 | $52.7M | 65.2K t |
| 2017 | $126.1M | 107.4K t |
Where Zambia exports rough wood to
One buyer market dominates: Vietnam accounted for 56% of the value. Among the main buyer markets, Vietnam grew fastest (+39% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Vietnam | $11.7M | 56% |
| China | $8.9M | 43% |
| Japan | $60K | 0.3% |
| South Africa | $20K | 0.1% |
| Taiwan | $14K | 0.1% |
| Pakistan | $10K | 0.1% |
| Namibia | $9K | 0% |
| Hong Kong | $6K | 0% |
| Tanzania | $5K | 0% |
| DR Congo | $1K | 0% |
Product types under HS 4403
| 4403.99 | Rough logs (other species) | 63% |
| 4403.49 | Tropical logs (other species) | 37% |
| 4403.25 | Softwood logs (large, other species) | 0.1% |
| 4403.98 | Eucalyptus logs | 0% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 4403.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.23 per kg, 53% above the world average of $0.15. This usually points to higher-grade or processed goods.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Rough wood imports to Zambia
Imports of rough wood by Zambia reached $4.8 million in 2024 (11.3 thousand tonnes). Zimbabwe alone supplied 79% of it. Among the main suppliers, Zimbabwe grew fastest (+100% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zimbabwe | $3.8M | 79% |
| South Africa | $1.0M | 21% |
| China | $2K | 0.1% |
| United Arab Emirates | $0K | 0% |
| Egypt | $0K | 0% |
Who is behind these numbers in Zambia?
The shipment records behind Zambia rough wood exports (HS 4403): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
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.
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 Zambia?
Zambia exported rough wood worth $20.7 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 88.8 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 56th of 151 countries worldwide, with 0% of world exports. The value was up 25% on 2023.
Which countries buy rough wood from Zambia?
Vietnam was the largest buyer with 56% of the value ($11.7 million), followed by China (43%) and Japan (0%). The top three together account for 100%, out of 10 buyer countries in total. Vietnam grew fastest among the top ten, up 39% on the year.
What is the average export price of rough wood per kg?
The average declared export value was about $0.23 per kg in 2024, 53% above the world average of $0.15 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have exports of rough wood from Zambia changed since 2017?
Exports went from $126.1 million in 2017 to $20.7 million in 2024, a fall of 84%. The peak was 2017 at $126.1 million. Over 8 years the average was $36.1 million a year.
Does Zambia also import rough wood?
Yes. Zambia imported $4.8 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Zimbabwe, South Africa and China. On balance Zambia is a net exporter of this product, by about $15.9 million a year.
What is the HS code for rough wood?
The HS code for rough wood is heading 4403. In Zambia the largest six-digit codes were 4403.99 (63% of the value) and 4403.49 (37%).
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
EximDataX rebuilds Zambia trade from the customs records of its trading partners, so the companies shipping to and from it are visible. Ask for a live look at your product.
Same product, other countries
Rough wood product types in Zambia
See what your buyers are buying.Then decide.
Everything we show you comes from official customs filings — records, not claims. 30 minutes. Your shipment. Your HS code. Real platform. If you don’t see something new about your market by the end of the call, we walk away. No follow-ups.