Case Study of the Forestry Regional Value Chain in Southern Africa: South Africa, Mozambique and Tanzania

The study examines the forestry value chains of South Africa, Mozambique, and Tanzania, noting a divide between South Africa's plantation-dominated, high-value sector and the natural forest-based, low-value sectors of Mozambique and Tanzania. It highlights limited intra-regional trade due to logistics and divergent domestic markets, with most production destined for domestic use or international exports to China and Japan. The report suggests that the region could become a significant pulp production site, particularly in Mozambique and Tanzania, provided land access and community conflict issues are resolved. It recommends establishing regional forums, data initiatives, and skills development to enhance the forestry sector's integration and competitiveness.

• The forestry sectors in the three countries differ significantly: South Africa is dominated by plantations and larger companies, while Mozambique and Tanzania rely on natural forests and small informal actors producing low value-added products, which limits regional integration.
• Intra-regional trade is limited by logistical challenges in transporting raw timber over long distances and differing domestic market needs, with Tanzania and Mozambique focusing on low-value products like charcoal and firewood.
• Forestry production is primarily directed toward domestic consumption or international markets; specifically, 90% of Mozambique's timber exports go to China, and over two-thirds of South African plantation output is exported as pulpwood to Japan.
• The Southern African region is projected to be a major site for pulp production over the next 20 years, with Mozambique and Tanzania expected to lead if land access systems for plantations are improved, while South Africa needs to increase hardwood plantations.
• Tanzania could potentially host a wood-processing hub to support a construction boom, leveraging low labour costs and a regional advantage in electricity stemming from natural gas discoveries.
• Land competition between local communities and forestry companies creates tensions that hinder market access, requiring solutions such as transparent land tenure, better royalty collection, and community partnerships.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (2019). Case Study of the Forestry Regional Value Chain in Southern Africa: South Africa, Mozambique and Tanzania. https://saiia.org.za/saiia-toolkit/case-study-of-the-forestry-regional-value-chain-in-southern-africa-south-africa-mozambique-and-tanzania/

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. Case Study of the Forestry Regional Value Chain in Southern Africa: South Africa, Mozambique and Tanzania. 2019. https://saiia.org.za/saiia-toolkit/case-study-of-the-forestry-regional-value-chain-in-southern-africa-south-africa-mozambique-and-tanzania/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=Case Study of the Forestry Regional Value Chain in Southern Africa: South Africa, Mozambique and Tanzania |date=26 March 2019 |url=https://saiia.org.za/saiia-toolkit/case-study-of-the-forestry-regional-value-chain-in-southern-africa-south-africa-mozambique-and-tanzania/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairs2019case, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{Case Study of the Forestry Regional Value Chain in Southern Africa: South Africa, Mozambique and Tanzania}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2019}, month = mar, url = {https://saiia.org.za/saiia-toolkit/case-study-of-the-forestry-regional-value-chain-in-southern-africa-south-africa-mozambique-and-tanzania/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }