Sh1.8 Million Trade Highlights Growing Opportunities for Wood & Timber in Tanzania

Posted on : Tuesday , 1st September 2026

Tanzania’s construction sector continues to generate opportunities across the country’s building-material supply chain, including growing demand for wood, timber and other forest-based construction materials. As housing, commercial buildings and infrastructure projects expand, the wood sector is well positioned to support construction through timber products, structural wood, doors, roofing components, furniture and other value-added materials.
 

The Fair Competition Commission (FCC) acting director-general, Ms Khadija Ngasongwa, said on August 9, 2026 that the watchdog was examining developments in the building-materials market, with the Minister for Industry and Trade, Judith Kapinga, expected to provide detailed clarification to journalists. The government’s attention to the construction-materials market also highlights the importance of maintaining efficient supply chains for wood and timber alongside other essential materials.
 

Market activity is being recorded in major construction centres including Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Arusha, Mwanza, Kilimanjaro, Manyara and Zanzibar. In Dar es Salaam, July 2026 Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (Ewura) cap prices stood at Sh3,990 per litre for petrol and Sh4,182 for diesel. These market conditions are relevant to the wider wood and timber sector because transportation and distribution are essential for moving timber, sawn wood and wood-based products from production areas to construction markets.
 

The regional movement of construction materials also demonstrates the potential for stronger wood supply networks. In Dodoma, a 50kg cement bag was reported at Sh21,000, while 12mm rebar reached Sh25,000. In Arusha, a seven-tonne gravel truck was priced at Sh300,000 and sand at Sh450,000. Mwanza City recorded gravel at Sh130,000 per trip and sand at Sh100,000. Alongside these materials, an efficient timber distribution network can help connect Tanzania’s forest resources and wood-processing businesses with growing construction demand.
 

Industry participants are actively responding to changing market conditions and strengthening their supply strategies. Hardware dealer Ms Rehema Nkya noted that market competition has played an important role in limiting additional price increases, while gravel crusher Ms Agnes Nyamuhwa highlighted the role of quarry operations in supplying construction materials. Trader Christian Salehe also reported a semitrailer load of gravel from Chalinze, Coast Region, at Sh1.8 million. Similar logistics networks can create opportunities for Tanzania’s timber traders, sawmills, wood processors and distributors to expand the availability of locally produced wood products.