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

This case study analyzes the forestry value chain in South Africa, Mozambique, and Tanzania to identify opportunities for regional integration and growth. It highlights the structural differences between South Africa's plantation-dominated sector and the natural forest resources of Mozambique and Tanzania, while proposing regional policy initiatives to improve data, skills, and community participation.

• The forestry sectors of South Africa, Mozambique, and Tanzania differ significantly in structure and output. South Africa's sector is characterized by plantations and larger companies with a higher percentage of value-added products. In contrast, Mozambique and Tanzania rely on natural forest resources and small, informal actors producing low-value products, which contributes to low regional integration.
• Intra-regional trade among the three countries is limited due to logistical challenges in transporting raw timber over long distances and differing domestic market needs. Most production is directed toward domestic use or international exports: 90% of Mozambique's timber exports go to China, over two-thirds of South African plantation output is exported as pulpwood to Japan, and over three-quarters of Tanzania's production supports livelihood strategies.
• The Southern African region is projected to become a major site for pulp production over the next 20 years, with Mozambique and Tanzania expected to lead if land access systems are improved to facilitate plantations. South Africa would need to increase hardwood plantations to participate in this growth.
• Tanzania presents a strategic opportunity for a wood-processing hub due to low labour costs and potential regional advantages in electricity stemming from natural gas discoveries, which could trigger a construction boom.
• To support the regional forestry sector, the study recommends several policy initiatives: creating a regional stakeholder forum, a data initiative, a skills development initiative, a community participation strategy, a forest certification initiative, and a capital and capacity development fund.

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} }