Ecuador was the largest supplier to the main importing countries.
What this market covers
Balsa wood is a very light, soft timber from the balsa tree. It is sold as lumber and sheets for model making, packaging, insulation and composite cores.
Typical segments
- Sawn balsa lumber
- Balsa sheets for modelling
- Composite core grade
- Craft and hobby grade
Top importing countries
Customs import value under HS 440722 in each country's latest reported year (in brackets), USD million.
GCC and Africa
Import value by country group, latest reported year per country, USD million.
Why this market is moving now
- Demand is concentrated: one country took a large share of the region's reported imports.
About the data
Figures are customs import values (CIF, US dollars) that 11 countries reported to UN Comtrade for HS code 440722 (Virola, imbuia and balsa, sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled, of a thickness of). Each country's latest reported year is used: Bahrain 2024, Israel 2024, Kenya 2022, Kuwait 2025, Morocco 2025, Oman 2025, Qatar 2023, Saudi Arabia 2025, South Africa 2025, Tunisia 2024, United Arab Emirates 2023.
No import data for this code was available from Algeria, Ethiopia, Ghana, Cote d'Ivoire, Jordan, Nigeria, Egypt, Tanzania.
South Africa reports import values FOB (free on board) rather than CIF.
Supplier figures add up the partner breakdown that the largest importing countries reported for their latest year. Partner areas that the reporters did not specify are left out of the list.
EU export figures are Eurostat Comext values in euros for CN code 44072299 (Virola, imbuia and balsa, sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled, of a thickness of), the code used on the EU page for this market. Shares, changes and per-kilogram values are calculated from these figures. No figure on this page is a forecast.
Key figures
Each figure names the source it came from. Open the source list below to read the quoted line.
| Figure | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Customs data from 11 Middle East and Africa countries shows imports of $1.9 million under HS code 440722 (Virola, imbuia and balsa, sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled, of a thickness of) in their latest year with data (2025 for 5 countries, 2024 for 3, 2023 for 2 and 2022 for 1). | 1.9 USD million | 2025 | UN Comtrade |
| The United Arab Emirates was the largest importer among the countries covered, with $1.4 million in 2023, or 76% of the total. | 1.4 USD million | 2023 | UN Comtrade |
| Kenya followed with $180 thousand in 2022. | 180 USD thousand | 2022 | UN Comtrade |
| The six GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries accounted for $1.6 million, or 83% of the total, in their latest reported years. | 1.6 USD million | 2025 | UN Comtrade |
| The 4 African countries with data accounted for $306 thousand, or 16% of the total. | 306 USD thousand | 2025 | UN Comtrade |
| Ecuador was the largest supplier to the 3 largest importing countries in the region, which took 92% of its reported imports, with $730 thousand, or 42% of their imports under HS 440722 (partner data for each country's latest year). | 730 USD thousand | 2025 | UN Comtrade |
| The average import value under HS 440722 was $2.40 per kilogram across the 9 countries that reported net weight, calculated from UN Comtrade value and weight. | 2.40 USD per kg | 2025 | UN Comtrade |
| EU exports of CN 44072299 (Virola, imbuia and balsa, sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled, of a thickness of) to the 1 Middle East and Africa countries covered were worth €8 thousand in 2025. | 8 EUR thousand | 2025 | Eurostat |
| South Africa was the largest of these destinations for EU exports of CN 44072299 in 2025, at €8 thousand. | 8 EUR thousand | 2025 | Eurostat |
Sources and method
The figures on this page come from the public sources listed below. Read how we work.
- UN Comtrade: UN Comtrade database, annual imports by HS code (public preview API) (2026-11-06)
Quoted lines
- Figure 1
cmdCode=440722 flowCode=M partnerCode=0 primaryValue: ARE2023=1443341; BHR2024=22625; ISR2024=20000; KEN2022=180450; KWT2025=48126; MAR2025=3911; OMN2025=291; QAT2023=32978; SAU2025=15616; TUN2024=39; ZAF2025=121576; sum=1888954 (shown as 1.9 USD million)
- Figure 2
reporterCode 784, period 2023, cmdCode 440722, flowCode M, partnerCode 0, primaryValue 1443341; share of 1888954 = 76%
- Figure 4
cmdCode 440722, flowCode M, partnerCode 0, sum of primaryValue for ARE BHR KWT OMN QAT SAU = 1562978; share 83% (shown as 1.6 USD million)
- Figure 5
cmdCode 440722, flowCode M, partnerCode 0, sum of primaryValue for KEN MAR TUN ZAF = 305976; share 16% (shown as 306 USD thousand)
- Figure 7
cmdCode 440722, flowCode M, partnerCode 0, sum of primaryValue 1734399 / sum of netWgt 723605 kg = 2.40 USD per kg
- Figure 1
- UN Comtrade: UN Comtrade database, annual imports by HS code (public preview API) (2026-11-06)
Quoted lines
- Figure 3
reporterCode 404, period 2022, cmdCode 440722, flowCode M, partnerCode 0, primaryValue 180450
- Figure 3
- UN Comtrade: UN Comtrade database, annual imports by HS code (public preview API) (2026-11-06)
Quoted lines
- Figure 6
cmdCode 440722, flowCode M, partnerCode 218, primaryValue summed over reporters = 730053; world 1745367; share 42%
- Figure 6
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-06)
Quoted lines
- Figure 8
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 44072299, flow export, VALUE_IN_EUROS, 2025: ZA=7607; sum 7607 (shown as 8 EUR thousand)
- Figure 9
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 44072299, partner ZA, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 7607 (shown as 8 EUR thousand)
- Figure 8
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Wind and marine composite makers
- Model and hobby makers
- Packaging and insulation firms
Large suppliers to the countries covered
EU exports to the largest destinations in the region, 2025
Eurostat Comext, CN 44072299, EUR million.
What the full report covers
- 01Executive summary
The answer in one page: size, direction and what moves it - 02Market definition and scope
What is in and out of the Middle East and Africa market - 03Market size, 2021 to 2025
Historical series and growth rates - 04Outlook to 2031
Base, low and high scenarios with stated assumptions - 05Rules, policy and deadlines
Regulation and programmes that change demand - 06Drivers and barriers
What accelerates or slows adoption, by customer segment - 07Prices, costs and margins
Unit economics where public data allows - 08Competitive landscape
8 to 12 company profiles with recent moves - 09Opportunities and risks
For new entrants, suppliers and investors - 10Method and sources
Every assumption and source, listed
Included with the full report
- PDF report, 40 to 60 pages
- Excel data pack
- Ready-to-use charts
- Method note and assumptions
- Written to order in 5 working days
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Middle East and Africa balsa wood market?
There is no single official market total. Customs data reported to UN Comtrade shows imports of $1.9 million under HS code 440722 by 11 countries in the region, using the latest year each one reported.
Which Middle East and Africa countries import the most balsa wood?
The United Arab Emirates was the largest importer, followed by Kenya and South Africa.
Where does the Middle East and Africa import balsa wood from?
Ecuador was the largest supplier to the largest importing countries in the region. Other large suppliers included Malaysia, Gabon and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
How do GCC and African imports of balsa wood compare?
The GCC countries with data took $1.6 million, or 83% of the total, and the African countries with data took $306 thousand, or 16%, each in its latest reported year.
How much balsa wood does the EU export to the Middle East and Africa?
Eurostat shows EU exports of CN 44072299 to the countries covered of €8 thousand in 2025. South Africa was the largest destination.
What is the average import price of balsa wood in the Middle East and Africa?
Dividing UN Comtrade import value by net weight gives about $2.40 per kilogram for HS 440722, across the countries that reported weight.
Free sample
Get a free sample of this report
We send the table of contents, two sample chapters and the method note, usually within one working day. You owe us nothing for asking.
- Full table of contents
- Two sample chapters
- Method note and data outline