Non coniferous wood fuel market in New Caledonia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, production of non-coniferous wood fuel in New Caledonia increased steadily from 12 855 m³ to 13 311 m³. This growth aligned with the territory's renewable energy policy, which aimed to cover public electricity needs from renewable sources including biomass by 2024. The local wood market remained underdeveloped and heavily reliant on imports, but the focus on biomass for energy generation provided a consistent driver for wood fuel output.

Efforts to structure the local forestry sector gained momentum from 2022 onward, with regulatory evolution and the creation of a dedicated wood industry aimed at job creation and market organization. Concurrently, the New Caledonia Energy Agency gave fresh impetus to the energy transition, particularly in construction, which raised the profile of wood-based materials and likely supported demand for wood fuel as part of the biomass supply chain. These developments occurred despite ongoing economic challenges for the major local sawmill, Les Bois du Nord.

By 2023, support for the forestry sector intensified with an ACE agent dedicated to energy audits and improving building efficiency, further promoting the use of local wood. Continuous energy sobriety campaigns and performance standards for buildings helped sustain the underlying demand for wood fuel, contributing to the market's gradual expansion throughout the period.

Production non coniferous wood fuel in New Caledonia

In kind, 2017-2020, m³

Top producers of non coniferous wood fuel, 2017-2020

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

New Caledonia's production of non-coniferous wood fuel has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 13 030 m³ of non-coniferous wood fuel, marking a 0.7% rise compared to the previous year.

Annual dynamics of production in New Caledonia in kind, 2017-2020, m³

Exports non coniferous wood fuel from New Caledonia

According to market analysis, there were no exports of non-coniferous wood fuel from New Caledonia between 2017 and 2020.

Imports non coniferous wood fuel to New Caledonia

Imports in kind, m³

The market displayed an unstable trend during this period. Import levels fluctuated significantly, with the lowest point in 2018 at 0.0 m³ and the peak in 2020 at 29.16 m³, representing a {ampRatio}-fold difference. In 2020, imported volumes of non-coniferous wood fuel in New Caledonia reached 29.16 m³, a dramatic increase of 2 020.4% from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a 100.0% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France accounted for 94.8% of total imports of non-coniferous wood fuel to New Caledonia, establishing itself as the overwhelmingly dominant market.

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

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

Imports in value, $ US

The market exhibited volatility over the observed timeframe. Imports varied widely, from a low of 1 199 US dollars in 2019 to a high of 88 122 US dollars in 2020, a 73-fold difference. In 2020, New Caledonia imported a total of 88 122 US dollars worth of non-coniferous wood fuel, reflecting a sharp uptick of 7 248.9% compared to the year before. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, with an 83.3% decrease.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France directed 99.5% of total imports of non-coniferous wood fuel to New Caledonia in value terms, solidifying its position as the overwhelmingly dominant market.

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

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