Non coniferous wood fuel market in Morocco

Earlier Report Observations

The market for non-coniferous wood fuel in Morocco experienced a gradual slight decline in volume from 5 564 thousand m³ in 2018 to 5 484 thousand m³ in 2023. This contraction was primarily driven by sustained government efforts to reduce wood fuel consumption through the national 'wood-energy' program. Starting in 2018, this initiative distributed improved cookstoves to rural households, aiming to cut annual wood fuel use by thousands of tonnes. The program continued through the period, with regional action plans and the deployment of tens of thousands of stoves by 2024.

Supply-side constraints also contributed to the market's downward trend. Annual forest loss of approximately 17 000 hectares limited domestic wood supply, while reliance on imported wood exposed the market to global price surges of over 30% during the COVID-19 pandemic. Regulatory measures, such as strengthened building thermal codes and the introduction of mandatory energy labeling for heating appliances, further dampened demand by promoting more efficient alternatives.

Other notable developments included the launch of a domestic MDF panel production line in 2021, reflecting industrial diversification within the wood sector, and significant private investment in wood processing modernization announced for 2024. However, these factors did not reverse the overall trend of declining wood fuel volume, as efficiency gains and resource scarcity remained the dominant market forces.

Production non coniferous wood fuel in Morocco

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

Morocco's production of non-coniferous wood fuel declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 5,529 thousand cubic meters, showing no significant change from the previous year's output in 2019.

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

Exports non coniferous wood fuel from Morocco

Exports in kind, m³

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the period. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 24.7 cubic meters, while the highest occurred in 2019 at 136.7 cubic meters. This represents a peak-to-trough ratio of 5.5 times, with exports in 2020 declining by 81.9% compared to 2019. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 326.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Qatar remained the leading buyer of non-coniferous wood fuel from Morocco, accounting for 86.5% of total exports in kind. The remaining exports were distributed among many other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. The minimum export value was recorded in 2018 at 4,889 US dollars, while the maximum was in 2019 at 65,454 US dollars, representing a 13.4-fold variation. In 2020, exports amounted to 31,678 US dollars, reflecting a decline of 51.6% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 82.1%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 1,238.7%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Qatar and the United States were the key partner countries for exports in value terms, together accounting for 83.0% of total flows. Other partners made up the remainder.

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

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

Imports non coniferous wood fuel to Morocco

Imports in kind, m³

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during the period. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2017, while the highest was in 2018 at 147.3 cubic meters, resulting in a 5.1-fold variation. In 2020, imports amounted to 132.4 cubic meters, up by 88.1% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 52.2%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 414.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain and Germany were the dominant suppliers of non-coniferous wood fuel to Morocco, together accounting for 97.3% of total imports in kind. Other partners played a less significant role.

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

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

Imports in value, $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. The minimum import value was recorded in 2017, while the maximum was in 2020 at 63,984 US dollars, showing a 3.3-fold variation. Imports in 2020 increased by 68.1% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 34.8%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 201.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain (41.2% of imports in value terms), Germany (36.7%), and France (21.3%) led the structure of imports in value terms, together representing 99.3% of total flows.

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

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