- Mutual benefits: Canada’s abundant, eco-certified timber can reliably supply Pakistan’s growing building and manufacturing sectors[3][4]. Pakistan, by contrast, offers a large consumer market and low-cost wood processing (e.g. Pakistan’s plywood mills[4]).
- Trade scale & growth: Bilateral wood trade is rising after a pandemic dip. Canada’s exports to Pakistan were about US$7.27M in 2022[1] and climbed to $11.37M in 2024[2].
- Main products: Canada mainly ships softwood lumber, fiberboard and pulp/paper products to Pakistan[2]. These match Pakistan’s import needs: Pakistan’s wood import structure is dominated by sawn timber (71%) and engineered panels like fiberboard and plywood[7].
- Sustainability & innovation: Both countries prioritize green forestry and technology. Canada’s industry emphasizes sustainable harvesting and new bio-materials[10]; Pakistan is a rising user of wood biomaterials. Joint R&D (e.g. bio-composites, carbon tracking) and sustainable certification can open new market niches.
Trade Volumes and Product Trends
Canada–Pakistan wood trade remains modest but growing. Exports from Canada to Pakistan totaled just a few million dollars per year in the early 2020s, largely sawn timber and panel products[1][2]. After Covid disruptions, trade started rebounding. By 2024, Canadian lumber, plywood and paper exports to Pakistan reached ~$11.4M[2] (up from $7.3M in 2022[1]). In contrast, Pakistan’s exports of wood products to Canada are almost none. Overall, wood products are a small fraction of each country’s total trade, but growth potential is strong given Pakistan’s timber import dependence and Canada’s export capacity. Key categories include softwood lumber (Canada’s leading export) and engineered boards. Notably, paper and paperboard were prominent exports from Canada to Pakistan in 2024[6], reflecting Pakistan’s demand for printing and packaging material. Other forestry lines (pulp, wood chips, charcoal) are minor. Pakistan’s import breakdown shows ~71% as sawn wood (HS 4407) and ~10% as fiberboard (HS 4411)[7], suggesting demand niches Canada could fill. Table: Wood Trade Trend – Canada-Pakistan| Trade Flow | 2022 (USD M) | 2023 (USD M) | 2024 (USD M) | Notes |
| Canada → Pakistan (wood) | 7.27[1] | 6.8[9] | 11.37[2] | Growth after 2023 |
| Pakistan → Canada (wood) | ~0.01 | ~0.01 | ~0.06 | Negligible (US$K) |
Regional Industry Hubs
Canada’s wood exports are concentrated in British Columbia, home to vast conifer forests and advanced mills. B.C. is the single largest exporter of Canadian softwood lumber – in 2022 it accounted for 53% of Canada’s softwood lumber export value[8]. B.C. also leads in wood technology (mass timber, engineered wood, pulp facilities). Creating linkages between BC forestry firms and Pakistani importers can streamline sourcing. Along, Quebec, Ontario and Alberta have also great share in forestry products. In Pakistan, the Punjab province is the wood-processing heartland[4]. About 10 of Pakistan’s 17 plywood/laminated board plants are in Punjab, along with most particleboard and fiberboard mills[4]. Punjab’s industrial clusters (Lahore, Faisalabad) rely on imported lumber and logs. Likewise, Karachi (Sindh) is also a big market. Canadian exporters can target these regional hubs by attending trade fairs and partnering with local manufacturers. For example, exporters of softwood lumber or construction materials might establish distribution in Punjab and Sindh, feeding Pakistan’s building boom.Opportunities for Collaboration and Growth
An optimistic outlook centers on mutual reinforcement. Canada’s industry has cutting-edge practices (sustainability certification, digital supply chains) while Pakistan offers market growth and competitive manufacturing. Actionable insights include:- Policy facilitation: Policymakers should consider reducing tariffs on key wood categories, harmonizing standards (e.g. phytosanitary rules, lumber grading) and using existing trade agreements (Commonwealth links, WTO rules) to ease exports. Investigating a modest free-trade agreement or improved Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) terms could remove remaining barriers. Both governments could support a Canada–Pakistan wood sector working group to coordinate standards, fair competition and wood certification.
- Investment and joint ventures: Investors can fund Pakistan-based processing (e.g. a Canadian–Pakistani pulp mill or panel factory) to add value locally. Technology transfer (e.g. kiln-drying, sawmill tech) would improve yield. Given Pakistan’s wood deficit (domestic forest cover ~5% of land[11]), joint ventures can help substitute imported wood with local or recycled sources as part of a green strategy. Canada could also invest in agro-forestry projects in Pakistan, leveraging expertise in sustainable forest management.
- Capacity building: NGOs and trade agencies should expand training and exchange programs (forestry management, digital lumber-tracking). Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service and Pakistan’s trade bodies can co-host B2B forums and forestry expos. Emphasizing forest health (fire control, replanting) in Pakistan with Canadian support could secure long-term timber supply.
- Market intelligence: Canadian exporters should leverage data analytics to match Pakistan’s needs (e.g. rising demand for wood furniture and housing). Conversely, Pakistani importers can use trade data to identify Canadian partners. Sharing market intelligence will optimize product mixes (e.g. pulp vs. dimensional lumber) and reduce overcapacity.
Conclusion
The Canada–Pakistan forestry partnership is at an early, promising stage. With aligned interests – Canada’s export-oriented forest sector and Pakistan’s import-dependent wood processing – both sides stand to gain. By building on trade data (e.g. growing from US$7M to $11M in recent years[1][2]) and focusing on sustainability, policymakers and investors can amplify this growth. Strategic collaboration – from joint ventures in pulp and panels to streamlined trade policies – will create jobs and improve supply security. In sum, nurturing this trade relationship can unlock long-term economic and environmental benefits for Canada and Pakistan alike. Actionable Takeaways for Policymakers & Investors: Leverage trade data to target high-growth wood segments; negotiate better trade terms or an FTA; invest in processing facilities in Pakistan; ensure sustainability (certification) throughout the supply chain; and foster provincial industrial partnerships through trade missions and technology exchanges. * Dr. Muhammad Jahanzaib is the Founder & Chief Visionary Officer (CVO) of Diamanium Thinkers, a global think tank. He holds a PhD in International Relations, specializing in the intersection of politics and economics in Pakistan’s foreign and domestic policy. A double gold medalist and published scholar, he writes on economic intelligence, economic diplomacy, political economy, AI, and regional cooperation in South Asia and beyond. He can be reached at jahanzaibdgc@gmail.com. References: [1] Microsoft PowerPoint – Pakistan Canada Trade CY-2022 https://www.pbc.org.pk/wp-content/uploads/Pakistan-Canada-Trade-CY-2022.pdf [2] [6] Canadian Economy & Supply Chains – Benefits of Trading with Pakistan https://www.wbn.digital/bridging-continents-canada-pakistan-trade-opportunities-in-the-digital-age/ [3] [8] 2022 Economic State of British Columbia’s Forest Sector https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/farming-natural-resources-and-industry/forestry/forest-industry-economics/economic-state/2022_economic_state_of_the_bc_forest_sector.pdf [4] [11] Wood utilization and its status in pakistan | PPT https://www.slideshare.net/anayamalaek/wood-utilization-and-its-status-in-pakistan [5] [7] [9] Pakistan | Imports and Exports | World | Wood and articles of wood; wood charcoal | Value (US$) and Value Growth, YoY (%) | 2012 – 2023 https://trendeconomy.com/data/h2/Pakistan/44 [10] Forestry and wood products – Tradecommissioner.gc.ca https://www.tradecommissioner.gc.ca/en/market-industry-info/search-industry/forestry-wood-products.html