This list reveals the top 10 timber importers based on their percentage of global import purchases (shown within parenthesis). In 2017, world timber imports totaled US$141.2 billion.
African Importers
Africa imported $3.6 billion worth of timber led by the following countries:
1. Egypt: $1.3 billion
2. Morocco: $470.5 million
3. Algeria: $428.7 million
4. South Africa: $359.8 million
5. Tunisia: $170.4 million
6. Ethiopia: $107.7 million
7. Botswana: $58.4 million
8. Nigeria: $57.4 million
9. Kenya: $52.8 million
10. Namibia: $47.9 million
Asian Importers
Asia imported $48.1 billion worth of timber led by the following countries:
1. China: $23.4 billion
2. Japan: $10.3 billion
3. South Korea: $3.4 billion
4. India: $1.8 billion
5. Vietnam: $1.3 billion
6. Taiwan: $1.2 billion
7. Turkey: $1.1 billion
8. Malaysia: $678.8 million
9. Philippines: $631.6 million
10. Thailand: $530.9 million
To see the 25 fastest-growing timber importers from 2013 to 2017, use the slidebar on the accompanying list. Overall, the 5-year percentage gain for globally imported timber was 3.1%.
Data source: Trade Map, International Trade Centre, www.intracen.org/marketanalysis
Top Imported Timber Countries
Most Valuable Lumber Imports 2017
European Union (EU) Importers
European Union imported $49.8 billion worth of timber led by the following EU members:
1. Germany: $8.8 billion
2. United Kingdom: $6.9 billion
3. Italy: $4.5 billion
4. France: $4.2 billion
5. Netherlands: $3.6 billion
6. Austria: $3.2 billion
7. Belgium: $2.9 billion
8. Denmark: $1.88 billion
9. Sweden: $1.86 billion
10. Poland: $1.6 billion
Latin American and Caribbean Importers
Latin America (excluding Mexico) and the Caribbean imported $2 billion worth of timber led by the following countries:
1. Chile: $246.8 million
2. Peru: $232.2 million
3. Colombia: $206.4 million
4. Dominican Republic: $161.2 million
5. Argentina: $125.5 million
6. Brazil: $96.9 million
7. Costa Rica: $93.9 million
8. Jamaica: $85.4 million
9. Panama: $84.6 million
10. Guatemala: $73.8 million
Middle Eastern Importers
Middle East imported $4.8 billion worth of timber led by the following countries:
1. United Arab Emirates: $1.1 billion
2. Saudi Arabia: $1 billion
3. Israel: $628.5 million
4. Iran: $501.3 million
5. Iraq: $289.3 million
6. Kuwait: $249 million
7. Lebanon: $197.5 million
8. Jordan: $181.3 million
9. Oman: $174.8 million
10. Qatar: $172.1 million
Oceanian Importers
Oceania imported $2 billion worth of timber led by the following countries:
1. Australia: $1.7 billion
2. New Zealand: $249.6 million
3. French Polynesia: $23 million
4. New Caledonia: $18.5 million
5. Samoa: $12 million
6. Fiji: $10.7 million
7. Papua New Guinea: $5.5 million
8. Tonga: $5 million
9. Vanuatu: $4.9 million
10. Cook Islands: $3.7 million
North American Importers
North America imported $25.7 billion worth of timber led by the following countries:
1. United States: $21.1 billion
2. Canada: $3 billion
3. Mexico: $1.6 billion
Research Note: Import numbers rarely match the source exporters’ stats. Reasons for import-export statistical discrepancies include re-exports, time lags, misallocations, distinct trade reporting systems, different quantity measurements and country confidentiality rules. Also, transportation and insurance costs are sometimes added to import totals.
