Non coniferous wood fuel market in Madagascar

Earlier Report Observations

The market for non-coniferous wood fuel in Madagascar showed consistent annual growth in volume from 14.7 million m³ in 2018 to 16.0 million m³ in 2023. This expansion was fundamentally supported by the country's high and persistent dependence on wood-based energy for domestic use, with sources indicating it accounted for 78% of energy consumption and over 90% of the population relied on charcoal. This entrenched demand created a stable baseline for market growth throughout the period.

Government policy initiatives played a key role in addressing supply-side pressures to meet this demand. The launch of the 'Directive bois énergie' policy in 2018, which promised annual reforestation of 40 000 hectares, aimed to secure long-term wood-fuel supply. Furthermore, the 2019 easing of restrictions on the exploitation of precious timber facilitated greater access to wood resources for energy production, supporting the continued output increases. These measures were part of a broader national strategy to manage forest degradation while responding to consumption needs.

Market dynamics were also influenced by external pressures that highlighted the inelastic nature of demand. In 2022, rising charcoal prices due to inflation and supply disruptions from rainfall and transport issues did not curb consumption growth, underscoring the lack of alternatives for households. Subsequent regulatory developments, such as the incorporation of wood-use provisions in the new Mining Code adopted in 2023, continued to shape the operating environment for the wood-fuel sector within a context of ongoing efforts to balance supply security with forest sustainability.

Production non coniferous wood fuel in Madagascar

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

From 2017 to 2020, Madagascar ranked 25th globally in the production of non-coniferous wood fuel.

Top producers of non coniferous wood fuel, 2017-2020

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

Madagascar's production of non-coniferous wood fuel grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 15 210 thousand cubic meters, marking a 1.8% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 5.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.8%.

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

Exports non coniferous wood fuel from Madagascar

According to industry reports, Madagascar did not export any non-coniferous wood fuel between 2017 and 2020.

Imports non coniferous wood fuel to Madagascar

Imports in kind, m³

Market performance showed significant fluctuations during this period. Imports hit their lowest point in 2019, then peaked in 2018, with a staggering 1 290-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, Madagascar imported 1.12 cubic meters of non-coniferous wood fuel, representing a dramatic year-over-year surge of 72 900.0%. The minimum volume was recorded in 2019 at 0.0 cubic meters, while the maximum was 1.98 cubic meters in 2018. The sharpest drop occurred in 2019, with a decline of 99.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France and Italy were the main sources for Madagascar's imports in volume, together accounting for 87.6% of the total. The remaining share went to other markets.

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

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

Imports in value, $ US

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2018, with a 141-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Madagascar imported non-coniferous wood fuel worth 1 968 US dollars, indicating a year-over-year increase of 9 600.3%. The minimum value was 20 US dollars in 2019, and the maximum was 2 867 US dollars in 2018. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, at 99.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy and France were the leading suppliers of non-coniferous wood fuel to Madagascar in value terms, jointly making up 98.0% of total imports. Other destinations each contributed relatively small shares.

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

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