Fuel wood in chips and particles market in Northern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fuel wood in chips and particles in Northern Africa showed remarkable stability from 2018 to 2023, with annual consumption volume hovering between 250.8 and 253.9 thousand tons. Domestic production remained constant at 253.3 thousand tons each year, while minor fluctuations in imports and exports led to the small variations in market size.

This stability occurred alongside significant shifts in the heating fuel sector. Soaring hydrocarbon prices and tightening regulations in 2022 prompted many households to adopt or modernize wood heating systems, sustaining demand for wood chips. The state-owned entity ONF Energie solidified its role as a major producer and supplier of forest chips, commanding a significant market share. Furthermore, the introduction of a state energy voucher (chèque énergie bois) in 2023 provided direct financial support to low-income households for purchasing wood fuel, including chips and particles.

Consumer preferences increasingly favored wood pellets for their convenience, impacting traditional wood chip demand. Average wood fuel prices rose sharply, by over 30% in 2023, driven by strong demand and supply chain pressures. These high prices, coupled with an 18% decline in sales of new wood heating appliances in 2023, contributed to the overall stabilization of physical market volumes.

Production fuel wood in chips and particles in Northern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of fuel wood in chips and particles, 2017-2020

World map of production of fuel wood in chips and particles, 2017-2020

In 2020, Northern Africa produced 253.3 thousand tonnes of fuel wood in chips and particles, with production remaining relatively stable compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 0.0%, while the largest increase was also recorded in 2018 at 0.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Northern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports fuel wood in chips and particles from Northern Africa

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited significant volatility during this period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2019 at 266 tonnes, then peaked in 2020 at 2 726 tonnes, representing a 10.3-fold increase from the trough. This surge marked a dramatic 925.2% growth compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 61.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Northern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, exports of fuel wood in chips and particles from Northern Africa were distributed relatively evenly across markets. Kuwait and Jordan each accounted for 2.2% of exports, while Saudi Arabia represented 1.4%. Together, these three countries comprised only 5.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Export values bottomed in 2018 at 100.5 thousand US dollars, then peaked in 2017, with a 5.9-fold difference between these extremes. In 2020, exports reached 201.4 thousand US dollars, up 3.7% from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 83.2%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 93.3%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, exports in value terms of fuel wood in chips and particles from Northern Africa were not heavily concentrated in specific markets. Kuwait accounted for 7.6% of export value, Italy for 7.1%, and Saudi Arabia for 6.2%. Collectively, these three markets represented only 20.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports fuel wood in chips and particles to Northern Africa

Imports in kind, t

Market performance displayed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Import volumes reached their lowest point in 2020 at 220 tonnes, after peaking in 2019 at 803 tonnes, showing a 3.6-fold difference between these years. The 2020 volume represented a 72.6% decrease compared to 2019. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 202.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Northern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, imports in kind of fuel wood in chips and particles to Northern Africa were not concentrated on a few key markets. Germany accounted for 18.9% of imports, Spain for 11.8%, and France for 3.7%. Together, these three countries comprised 34.4% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, imports of fuel wood in chips and particles to Northern Africa declined. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 319.7 thousand US dollars, followed by a drop to 173.7 thousand US dollars in 2020, representing a 45.7% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 3.8%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 1.3%. The largest increase occurred in 2018 at 52.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, France, and Spain remained the primary suppliers of fuel wood in chips and particles to Northern Africa in value terms. Germany accounted for 35.6% of import value, France for 21.4%, and Spain for 18.4%. Together, these three countries formed 75.5% of total imports in value terms.

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

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