Non coniferous wood fuel market in Bolivia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, Bolivia's non-coniferous wood fuel market volume increased steadily from 2.479 million m³ to 2.542 million m³. This consistent growth was fundamentally driven by the country's high reliance on wood for domestic energy, accounting for over 52% of national energy consumption. The National Strategy for Sustainable Production and Efficient Use of Firewood (2013‑2024) provided a framework for annual supply, promoting extraction primarily from natural forests and ensuring stable market availability.

External shocks further reinforced demand. The COVID‑19 pandemic in 2020 restricted imports of fossil fuels, increasing household reliance on locally sourced firewood. Subsequently, a foreign currency shortage and energy crisis reduced diesel and gasoline imports, particularly from 2022 onward, intensifying the dependence on wood fuel in rural areas with limited access to alternative energy sources.

The market operated with minimal regulatory constraints, as there were no major legislative changes or stringent labeling requirements for firewood throughout the period. This informal structure allowed supply to flexibly meet sustained consumption needs, supporting the steady annual growth in market volume without significant disruption.

Production non coniferous wood fuel in Bolivia

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Top producers of non coniferous wood fuel, 2017-2020

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

Non-coniferous wood fuel production in Bolivia increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Bolivia produced 2,504 thousand cubic meters of non-coniferous wood fuel, which remained virtually unchanged compared to 2019.

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

Exports non coniferous wood fuel from Bolivia

Based on desk-based market analysis, there was no export of non-coniferous wood fuel from Bolivia between 2017 and 2020.

Imports non coniferous wood fuel to Bolivia

Imports in kind, m³

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 0.01 cubic meters, with a peak in 2017, showing a 2,056-fold variation between these years. In 2020, cross-border shipments of non-coniferous wood fuel to Bolivia amounted to 10.57 cubic meters, representing an increase of 137,340.0% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 100.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (53.1% of imports in kind), Germany (25.6% of imports in kind), and Chile (16.9% of imports in kind) were the largest suppliers of non-coniferous wood fuel to Bolivia, together accounting for 95.7% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at $9,377 US, with a maximum in 2020, registering an 8.8-fold variation between these years. In 2020, imported non-coniferous wood fuel volumes in Bolivia totaled $82,254 US, amounting to an abrupt rise of 777.1% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 87.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (48.9% of imports in value terms), Chile (24.9% of imports in value terms), and France (16.5% of imports in value terms) were the main sources in the geographical breakdown of imports in value terms of non-coniferous wood fuel to Bolivia, with a combined share of 90.3% of total flows.

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

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