Non coniferous wood fuel market in Colombia

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the Colombian government published the National Firewood Substitution Plan (PNL), which identified non-coniferous wood fuel as an inefficient and highly polluting energy source and established a policy for its gradual replacement with cleaner alternatives like liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Despite this, market volume grew to 4 872 thousand m³ in 2019, reflecting persistent demand before substitution measures gained full traction.

Starting in 2020, the approval of Law 2128 of 2021, which promoted gaseous fuels through fiscal incentives and subsidies for low-income households, began to impact consumption. This contributed to a reduction in market volume to 4 717 thousand m³ in 2020, followed by stabilization at the same level in 2021 as substitution programs expanded.

Further regulatory tightening in 2022 and 2023 accelerated the decline. Resolution 762 of 2022 introduced specific labeling and traceability requirements for firewood sales, restricting wet wood commerce. Updated versions of the National Firewood Substitution Plan in 2023 detailed technical methodologies and substitution targets, driving market volume down to 4 490 thousand m³ in 2022 and 4 384 thousand m³ in 2023.

Production non coniferous wood fuel in Colombia

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 2020, Colombia produced 4,717 thousand cubic meters of non-coniferous wood fuel, marking a modest year-on-year decline of 3.2%. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 18.3%, which translates to an annualized rate of 6.5%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 4,644 thousand cubic meters. That same year saw the largest decline of 19.6%, while 2019 experienced the biggest increase at 4.9%.

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

Exports non coniferous wood fuel from Colombia

Exports in kind, m³

Non-coniferous wood fuel exports from Colombia have risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 47.8 cubic meters, representing a sharp increase of 79.7% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 506,686.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1,617.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands and the United States together accounted for 82.3% of Colombia's total non-coniferous wood fuel exports by volume, with the remainder distributed among smaller markets.

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

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

Exports in value, $ US

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, showing a 623-fold variation between these years. In 2020, Colombia exported $10,646 worth of non-coniferous wood fuel, which was 9.6% lower than the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at $11,775, with the largest increase that year at 2,540.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (56.2% of export value), the Netherlands (20.5%), and Panama (14.4%) were the main buyers of non-coniferous wood fuel from Colombia, collectively representing 91.1% of total export value.

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

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

Imports non coniferous wood fuel to Colombia

Imports in kind, m³

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Import levels varied significantly, with a 14.7-fold difference between the high in 2018 and the low in 2020. In 2020, Colombia received 8.5 cubic meters of non-coniferous wood fuel imports, an 86.2% decrease from the previous year. The peak was in 2018 at 124.2 cubic meters, which also saw the largest increase of 62.2%.

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

During 2017–2020, the United States dominated as the primary supplier of non-coniferous wood fuel to Colombia, accounting for 71.0% of total import volume, while other countries shared the rest.

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

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

Imports in value, $ US

Volatility characterized market behavior in these years. Import values fluctuated widely, with a 7.8-fold variation between the high in 2018 and the low in 2020. In 2020, Colombia imported non-coniferous wood fuel valued at $[value_last_year], down 71.5% from 2019. The maximum value was $79,074 in 2018, which also recorded the largest increase of 41.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States and Germany were the leading markets for imports by value, together accounting for 85.2% of total flows, with the remainder spread across other destinations.

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

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