Fuel wood in chips and particles market in Yemen

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fuel wood in chips and particles in Yemen expanded sharply from 346 tonnes in 2018 to 513 tonnes in 2019. This surge was driven by an acute shortage of conventional fuels at the start of the war, which pushed households to use wood for cooking and heating. The price of domestic gas cylinders rose from 500 Yemeni rials to nearly 9,500 rials, making wood a critical affordable alternative, and new wood markets such as Al-Senina in Sana'a emerged to meet the rising demand.

Market volume then halved to 258 tonnes in 2020, even as the ongoing conflict and gas distribution problems kept household reliance on wood high. The following years saw stabilization around 230–241 tonnes, with informal wood markets spreading to other cities like Hodeidah and Aden. Black markets, such as 'Al-Waytat' near Sana'a airport, became established trading platforms, especially during winter peaks when prices for large wood bundles exceeded 2,000 rials.

The sustained energy crisis, with gas prices remaining above 9,500 rials per cylinder, supported wood's role as a primary household fuel. This accelerated illegal logging and vegetation degradation, with reports indicating deserts now cover 95% of Yemen's land area, prompting calls for government regulation of wood harvesting. Meanwhile, bakeries and restaurants increasingly turned to wood due to high gas and diesel costs, supporting steady market consumption.

Production fuel wood in chips and particles in Yemen

In kind, 2017-2020, 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 Yemen, production of fuel wood in chips and particles remained stable in 2020 at 228 tonnes, showing no significant change from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 40%, which translates to an average annual increase of 11.9%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 228 tonnes. In 2019, production saw its largest decline, dropping to zero. The most substantial increase occurred in 2018, with a 40.0% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in Yemen in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports fuel wood in chips and particles from Yemen

Market analysis confirms that Yemen did not export any fuel wood in chips and particles between 2017 and 2020.

Imports fuel wood in chips and particles to Yemen

Imports in kind, t

Import data shows irregular fluctuations, reflecting a volatile market environment. Imports reached their lowest point in 2020 at 30.4 tonnes, following a peak in 2019. This represents a 9.4-fold difference between the two years. The 2020 figure was 89.4% lower than the previous year. The maximum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 285.9 tonnes, with the largest increase that year at 142.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the top suppliers of fuel wood in chips and particles to Yemen were Malaysia, accounting for 34.1% of imports in kind, Oman with 7.6%, and Austria at 4.6%. Together, these three countries made up 46.3% of total imports, with the remainder coming from a diverse range of smaller trading partners.

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

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

Imports in value, $ US

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the period. Import values peaked in 2019 and fell to their lowest in 2020, with a 20-fold difference between these years. In 2020, the value of fuel wood in chips and particles imports into Yemen was $4 498, a sharp decline of 95.1% from 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at $91 613, with the largest increase that year at 211.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, imports of fuel wood in chips and particles to Yemen in value terms were not highly concentrated. Malaysia led with 35.4% of imports, followed by Saudi Arabia at 3.5% and Oman at 3.4%. Together, these three countries accounted for 42.3% of total import value, indicating a broad distribution among various suppliers.

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

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