This paper describes the dynamics of the timber value chain in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania. Specifically, the study strove to identify key actors, their roles, functions, and interactions in various nodes along the timber value chain. The study employed a cross-sectional design. Mixed research methods for data collection were employed for the study; key informants’ interview, focus group discussions and researchers’ direct observation. The study identified various value chain nodes: land, inputs, production, harvesting, processing, transportation, and marketing. Actors of the timber value chain identified were village government, villagers, tree growers, seedlings producers, middle-men, institutions, district government, traders, saw millers, and porters. The paper describes timber dynamics by pointing out outstanding differences and similarities across the three study districts. Results revealed that there was a considerable variation (dynamics) in the study districts in terms of seedlings quality, tending operations, timber harvesting age, transportation modes, distance from the market, marketing aspects, government regulations and taxations (cess). Further, the governance of value chain in the study areas was examined and issues related to regulations, quality and standard setting are described. It was revealed that in the land transaction issues, the benefits which buyers of land received was statistically significantly higher than other groups at P < 0.05 although the difference (effective size) is small. The paper recommends that since there were variation timber value chain-related activities, one-size-fits-all approach should not be used to address existing challenges of the same. The paper finds it prudent to use location-specific initiatives to improve timber value chain in the study area.

Keywords: Timber, dynamics, nodes, value chains, inputs, Southern highlands