Coniferous wood fuel market in India

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for coniferous wood fuel in India experienced a gradual decline from 9.12 million m³ in 2018 to 8.96 million m³ in 2023. This contraction occurred despite persistent rural reliance on firewood for cooking, with over 67% of rural households depending on it, particularly in states like Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan.

Supply constraints played a key role, as a net deficit of firewood put pressure on forest resources, limiting sustainable production. Concurrently, the market saw increased export activity for timber, including coniferous wood, with exports rising by 7% year-on-year by early 2024, diverting some wood from domestic fuel use.

Demand-side factors included fluctuations in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) supply, which spurred firewood use during shortages, especially in 2018 and 2022. However, a slow shift toward LPG in rural areas and the unorganized nature of the firewood market contributed to the overall downward trend in market volume.

Production coniferous wood fuel in India

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

From 2017 to 2020, India ranked as the world's sixth-largest producer of coniferous wood fuel.

Top producers of coniferous wood fuel, 2017-2020

World map of production of coniferous wood fuel, 2017-2020

India's coniferous wood fuel production declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, production remained relatively stable year-over-year, with 9 056 thousand cubic meters produced.

Annual dynamics of production in India in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Exports coniferous wood fuel from India

Exports in kind, m³

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports peaked in 2019 at 32.7 cubic meters, then dropped to 9.1 cubic meters in 2020, marking a 72.1% year-over-year decline. The largest increase occurred in 2018, at 3.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from India in kind, 2017-2020, m³

Between 2017 and 2020, Belgium, Nigeria, and Nepal were the top destinations for India's coniferous wood fuel exports by volume. Belgium accounted for 29.8% of exports, Nigeria for 22.3%, and Nepal for 12.9%, together making up 64.9% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from India in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The market displayed volatility over the observed period. Exports in value terms peaked in 2017 and hit a low in 2018, with a 12.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exports reached 9.5 thousand US dollars, a 131.3% increase compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 2.0 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 91.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from India in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, the United States, and Nigeria were the main markets for India's coniferous wood fuel exports by value. Belgium led with 61.1% of exports, followed by the United States at 17.5%, and Nigeria at 7.4%, collectively representing 86.0% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from India in value, 2017-2020

Imports coniferous wood fuel to India

Imports in kind, m³

The market trend was unstable throughout the timeframe. Imports reached their highest point in 2018 at 489.0 cubic meters and fell to their lowest in 2020 at 70.2 cubic meters, a 7-fold swing. In 2020, imports dropped by 38.3% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 76.8%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 509.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to India in kind, 2017-2020, m³

During 2017–2020, Indonesia, Nepal, and China were the primary sources for India's coniferous wood fuel imports by volume. Indonesia accounted for 40.0% of imports, Nepal for 8.6%, and China for 5.4%, together comprising 54.0% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to India in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

The data indicates irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Imports in value terms varied by 4.3 times, with a peak in 2018 at 121.7 thousand US dollars and a low in 2017. In 2020, imports stood at 28.8 thousand US dollars, a 54.9% decline from the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 326.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to India in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Indonesia, Canada, and New Zealand were the main destinations for India's coniferous wood fuel imports by value. Indonesia made up 49.4% of imports, Canada 16.1%, and New Zealand 6.4%, with a combined share of 71.9% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to India in value, 2017-2020