Wood charcoal market in Benin

Earlier Report Observations

The wood charcoal market in Benin demonstrated notable stability in production from 2018 to 2023, consistently outputting approximately 49 000 t annually. This steady output was maintained against a backdrop of government initiatives, including 2018 subsidies for liquefied gas to reduce charcoal reliance and long-standing reforestation projects aimed at creating sustainable wood fuel plantations. While these measures sought to curb pressure on natural forests, strong urban demand for cooking fuel, highlighted in 2020, continued to underpin the market's fundamental volume.

Minor fluctuations in total market size, which ranged between 48 247 t and 49 079 t, were primarily driven by trade variations. A sharp drop in exports after 2018 increased domestic availability. Market structure was also shaped by regulatory steps, such as 2022 transport rules for charcoal that imposed quantity limits and introduced online payment to better control the supply chain. Concurrently, projects like PBF II worked to improve the wood fuel supply and promote alternative energy sources, contributing to the overall market's organized yet steady state.

The period saw the entry of new players and a growing focus on ecological alternatives. In 2021, the startup Eco-Sika began producing charcoal from agricultural waste, and the PANA Energie project promoted green briquettes and improved cookstoves. By 2022, training in higher-yield production techniques like the Grand Volume kiln and growing private investment in charcoal from fast-growing acacia or plant waste pointed to an incremental shift toward more sustainable practices, even as traditional charcoal production volumes remained unchanged.

Production wood charcoal in Benin

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

In 2020, Benin produced 49 050 tons of wood charcoal, showing virtually no change compared to 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 Benin in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports wood charcoal from Benin

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited significant volatility during this period. Wood charcoal exports from Benin reached their lowest point in 2017, then peaked in 2018 with a dramatic 7.7-fold increase between these years. In 2019, exports dropped sharply to 124.6 tons, representing an 84.5% year-over-year decline. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2018 at 804.0 tons, which marked a substantial 665.7% increase from the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Benin in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, India remained the dominant export destination for wood charcoal in kind, accounting for 76.1% of total flows, while the remaining exports were fragmented across various other markets.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values showed considerable volatility during these years. The lowest point occurred in 2017, followed by a peak in 2018 with an 8.7-fold difference between these two years. In 2019, wood charcoal exports from Benin totaled 46.5 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 69.2% decrease compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 150.8 thousand US dollars, representing a remarkable 766.9% increase from 2017.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, India and China together dominated Benin's wood charcoal exports in value terms, jointly accounting for 91.5% of total flows, while other trading partners each held significantly smaller shares.

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

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

Imports wood charcoal to Benin

Imports in kind, t

Wood charcoal imports to Benin increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 29.4 tons, representing a substantial 427.1% year-over-year gain. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 5 784.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 289.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Benin in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Nigeria (53.4% of imports in kind), Lebanon (22.1%), and China (16.2%) together accounted for 91.6% of Benin's total wood charcoal imports in kind, making them the primary sources.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Wood charcoal import values to Benin rose for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 18.6 thousand US dollars, which is 277.2% higher than the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import values increased by 9 722.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 361.4%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, China and Lebanon remained the main sources for Benin's wood charcoal imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 89.5% of total flows, while other partners made up the remainder.

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

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