Sawn wood exports from Zambia: data, top buyers and prices
Exports of sawn wood by Zambia reached $4.9 million in 2024 (25.9 thousand tonnes). Value fell 63% from 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2021, at $22.8 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 | $4.9M | 25.9K t |
| 2023 | $13.0M | 34.5K t |
| 2022 | $9.4M | 33.7K t |
| 2021 | $22.8M | 100.9K t |
| 2020 | $17.3M | 38.8K t |
| 2019 | $13.3M | 29.1K t |
| 2018 | $5.8M | 16.4K t |
| 2017 | $3.7M | 5.0K t |
Where Zambia exports sawn wood to
The largest buyer markets were Tanzania (42%), China (31%), Vietnam (12%). Among the main buyer markets, Tanzania grew fastest (+79% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Tanzania | $2.0M | 42% |
| China | $1.5M | 32% |
| Vietnam | $574K | 12% |
| Namibia | $323K | 6.7% |
| South Africa | $271K | 5.6% |
| Bulgaria | $86K | 1.8% |
| Taiwan | $28K | 0.6% |
| Pakistan | $7K | 0.1% |
| United States | $4K | 0.1% |
| Canada | $0K | 0% |
Product types under HS 4407
| 4407.99 | Sawn hardwood boards (other) | 34% |
| 4407.29 | Sawn tropical wood (other species) | 24% |
| 4407.95 | Sawn ash boards | 17% |
| 4407.93 | Sawn maple boards | 12% |
| 4407.92 | Sawn beech boards | 11% |
| 4407.19 | Sawn softwood boards (other) | 1.2% |
| 4407.21 | Wood, tropical: as specified in Subheading Note 2 to this Chapter, mahogany (Swietenia spp.), sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled, whether… | 0.4% |
| 4407.11 | Sawn pine boards | 0.1% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 4407.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.19 per kg, 65% below the world average of $0.54, which often means bulk or lower-grade product.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Sawn wood imports to Zambia
Zambia imported $1.0 million of sawn wood in 2024 (17.5 thousand tonnes). One supplier dominates: Tanzania accounted for 62% of the value. Among the main suppliers, South Africa grew fastest (+49% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Tanzania | $632K | 62% |
| South Africa | $222K | 22% |
| Zimbabwe | $139K | 14% |
| Egypt | $9K | 0.9% |
| Malawi | $7K | 0.7% |
| China | $6K | 0.6% |
| Germany | $4K | 0.4% |
| New Zealand | $1K | 0.1% |
| Vietnam | $0K | 0% |
| Netherlands | $0K | 0% |
Who is behind these numbers in Zambia?
The shipment records behind Zambia sawn wood exports (HS 4407): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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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 4407: Wood sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled, whether or not planed, sanded or finger-jointed, of a thickness exceeding 6mm.
Common questions
What is the value of sawn wood exported by Zambia?
Zambia exported sawn wood worth $4.9 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 25.9 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 94th of 172 countries worldwide, with 0% of world exports. The value was down 63% on 2023.
Which countries buy sawn wood from Zambia?
Tanzania was the largest buyer with 42% of the value ($2.0 million), followed by China (31%) and Vietnam (12%). The top three together account for 85%, out of 10 buyer countries in total. Tanzania grew fastest among the top ten, up 79% on the year.
What is the average export price of sawn wood per kg?
The average declared export value was about $0.19 per kg in 2024, 65% below the world average of $0.54 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have exports of sawn wood from Zambia changed since 2017?
Exports went from $3.7 million in 2017 to $4.9 million in 2024, an increase of 29%. The peak was 2021 at $22.8 million. Over 8 years the average was $11.3 million a year.
Does Zambia also import sawn wood?
Yes. Zambia imported $1.0 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Tanzania, South Africa and Zimbabwe. On balance Zambia is a net exporter of this product, by about $3.8 million a year.
What is the HS code for sawn wood?
The HS code for sawn wood is heading 4407. In Zambia the largest six-digit codes were 4407.99 (34% of the value) and 4407.29 (24%).
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
For Zambia, EximDataX reads the shipment records of the countries that trade with it and shows the companies on both sides. We can walk you through your product on a short call.
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