Wood charcoal market in Botswana

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, Botswana's wood charcoal market volume remained stable, fluctuating between 74 000 t and 76 000 t annually. Production was consistently around 75 125 t each year, anchored by operations in the Morupule and Mmamabula basins where charcoal is produced for domestic energy use and export.

Steady household demand, with biomass accounting for a large share of residential energy consumption, underpinned the market. This consistent domestic need helped maintain stable volumes, while imports grew from 92 t in 2018 to 715 t in 2023 to supplement local supply.

The market saw a shift in trade patterns: exports peaked at 1 201 t in 2020 before declining sharply, while import growth accelerated after 2021. These movements led the total market size to reach its period high of 75 839 t in 2023.

Production wood charcoal in Botswana

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

Botswana's wood charcoal production in 2020 reached 75 126 tonnes, showing little change from the previous year. The most significant production shifts occurred in 2018, with both the largest decline and increase recorded at 0.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Botswana in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports wood charcoal from Botswana

Exports in kind, t

Wood charcoal exports from Botswana have grown for three consecutive years. In 2020, export volumes reached 1 201 tonnes, representing a dramatic 1,684.0% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports surged by 7,904.5%, averaging an annual growth rate of 331.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Namibia was the dominant buyer of Botswana's wood charcoal, accounting for 91.4% of total export volumes.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values showed considerable volatility during this period. The market reached its lowest point in 2018 at 2.2 thousand US dollars, then surged to 46.9 thousand US dollars in 2020 - a 21-fold increase. The 2020 figure represents a steep 1,500.7% year-over-year growth, while the most significant decline occurred in 2018 at 48.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Namibia and South Africa together accounted for 100.0% of Botswana's wood charcoal export value.

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

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

Imports wood charcoal to Botswana

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes experienced noticeable fluctuations during this period. The market peaked in 2017 and reached its lowest point in 2018, with a five-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Botswana imported 410 tonnes of wood charcoal, marking a sharp 180.5% increase from 2019. The minimum volume was recorded in 2018 at 92 tonnes, with the largest decline that year reaching 79.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa was the primary source of wood charcoal imports to Botswana, supplying 71.2% of total import volumes, while other sources played much smaller roles.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of decline, wood charcoal imports to Botswana increased in 2020. The country imported 172.0 thousand US dollars worth of wood charcoal that year, up 40.8% from 2019. However, between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 45.5%, averaging an annual decline of 18.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 122.2 thousand US dollars, while the most significant drop occurred in 2018 at 51.8%.

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

During 2017-2020, South Africa dominated Botswana's wood charcoal imports by value, accounting for 89.8% of total import value, with the remainder distributed among several smaller markets.

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

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