Non coniferous wood fuel market in Botswana

Earlier Report Observations

The market for non-coniferous wood fuel in Botswana showed remarkable stability from 2018 to 2023, with annual production hovering around 699 thousand m³ and market volume remaining close to 700 thousand m³. This steady demand was underpinned by the continued reliance of rural households on firewood as a primary energy source, where biomass accounted for up to 92% of domestic energy consumption due to the inaccessibility and high cost of modern alternatives like electricity and LPG. Government efforts to promote charcoal as a substitute had limited impact, preserving the fundamental demand for firewood.

In 2024, significant policy developments emerged. Botswana Oil Limited, a state-owned company, secured exclusive rights to import 90% of the country's fuels starting April 2024, aiming to stabilize energy supply. Concurrently, the Botswana Power Corporation's shift from a post-paid to a pre-paid electricity system increased household dependence on firewood, as the high cost of prepaid electricity and LPG made wood fuel a more affordable option for low-income consumers. These factors reinforced the structural drivers of firewood consumption in the country.

Production non coniferous wood fuel in Botswana

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

In 2019, Botswana produced 699.6 thousand cubic meters of non-coniferous wood fuel. In 2020, production remained nearly unchanged, showing only a marginal fluctuation from 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 Botswana in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Exports non coniferous wood fuel from Botswana

Exports in kind, m³

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

From 2017 to 2020, Zambia was the primary partner for exports in kind, accounting for 100.0% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the market structure was highly concentrated, with Zambia alone responsible for 100.0% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports non coniferous wood fuel to Botswana

Imports in kind, m³

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. From 2018 to 2019, there was a significant fluctuation, with a peak-to-trough amplitude of 5.7 times. In 2019, Botswana's volume of non-coniferous wood fuel imports reached its minimum at 178 cubic meters. In 2020, imports amounted to 218 cubic meters, representing a 22.7% increase year-over-year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, at 82.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical pattern of imports in kind reflected a strong dependence on South Africa, which accounted for 100.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. The period saw a peak in 2018 and a trough in 2019, with a 2.8-fold difference between them. In 2019, the minimum value was recorded at 110.2 thousand US dollars. In 2020, non-coniferous wood fuel shipments to Botswana from abroad totaled 166.1 thousand US dollars, showing an abrupt uptick of 50.7% compared with 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, at 64.5%.

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

Over 2017 to 2020, the structure of imports in value terms was dominated by a single market: South Africa, with a share of 100.0% of total flows.

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

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