Bamboo Farming

Introduction

If you were asked to list a hundred things you could do with bamboo, your first thought might be that bamboo poles can be tied together to make a fence, a bridge, a shack or some kind of settlement. Bamboo’s uses do indeed include construction (the costs of bamboo dwellings compare very favourably with conventional materials).

You would think that it can replace the need for trees as a source of wood (isn’t that great!) All types of furniture can be made, as well as fittings such as window blinds, fencing and flooring. It might come to you that charcoal can be produced, cutting-boards and various arts and crafts.

But would you think textiles? Bamboo towels and socks? Bamboo soap? Bamboo toilet paper? Bamboo beer, bamboo bicycles and bamboo corrugated roof sheets?

Bamboo does not have a hundred uses: studies done by the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and other role players show over a thousand! Clearly there is a lot more to bamboo products and bamboo processing than would immediately occur to the reader. Not only does bamboo have many uses, it is a non-invasive crop that can help develop agriculture and contribute towards lifting human beings out of poverty by creating jobs in rural areas.

Benefits of Bamboo

  • combats soil erosion
  • reforests areas denuded of vegetation caused by demand for cooking fuel
  • removes heavy metals and other pollutants from polluted water
  • responds to climate change through carbon sequestration
  • provides shade and creates windbreaks for food crops
  • can be grown as a living fence to keep animals in or out
  • provides food for humans in the form of shoots and animal fodder in the form of leaves
  • assists in capturing water allowing it to percolate instead of flowing away
  • can be planted as noise barriers and windbreaks
  • develops greener more aesthetically pleasing settlements and a better living environment
  • provides a habitat for wildlife and improved biodiversity
  • contributes to economic development and creation of jobs at a local level
  • increases environmental awareness through communities locally and from publicity nationally
  • creates opportunities for communities to enter the New Green Economy and so creates rural wealth instead of the standard poverty relief programmes
Source: www.trees.co.za. The above list accompanied the previous “Bamboo for Africa” programme.

International business environment

  • Bamboo, renowned for its rapid growth and eco-friendly properties, is commonly found in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. China is the global leader in the bamboo industry, as producer, processor and exporter. Other major players include India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines, Thailand, Brazil, Ethiopia, Colombia and Japan (Bamboo Sahi Hai, 2024).
  • An analysis of the end-use bamboo industry in 2025 shows it consisting of the following segments: Pulp & paper (43%), Construction (11.8%), food (11.6%), wood & furniture (10.1%), textiles (9.9%), agriculture (8.4%) and others (charcoal, handicrafts) (Future Market Insights, 2025).
  • The global bamboo market is projected to grow from USD 8 billion in 2025 to approximately USD 22.5 billion by 2035, an absolute increase of USD 14.5 billion over the forecast period with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.9% (Future Market Insights, 2025).

Further reading:

Investment schemes

Along with the incredible potential in this industry, it is perhaps inevitable that some investment schemes arise that sound too good to be true. Be cautious when bamboo plantation investments promise 25 to 25% returns from year one. Bamboo needs around four years to develop the 80 – 100mm culms. These culms have to mature for at least 24 months to gain the strength needed for the products.

 

Local business environment

  • South Africa accounted for 1.45% of the global Bamboo Products Market size in 2024.
  • Furniture dominated the Product category in terms of contribution to market size.
  • Bamboo Products Market reached USD 0.55 Billion in 2024. It is projected to reach USD 0.83 Billion by 2033, growing at a steady CAGR of 4.67%.
Source: Morgan A. 2025. South Africa Bamboo Products Market Size & Outlook, 2025-2033. Available at https://deepmarketinsights.com/vista/insights/bamboo-products-market/south-africa

 

Role Players

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Other role players have included Amathole Economic Development Agency, Bamboo Industries, Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC), Food & Trees for Africa (FTFA), and the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC).

 

Websites and publications

Some articles:

Our thanks to Willem Malherbe and Pieter Joubert for feedback on the draft chapter.

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