Wood charcoal market in China

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the Chinese wood charcoal market volume first rose to 1.93 million tons in 2019, supported by growing consumer preference for environmentally friendly bamboo charcoal products. However, it declined to 1.81 million tons in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted supply chains and dampened demand.

Following a slight contraction in 2021, partly due to a state-imposed ban on tree felling for charcoal production which constrained supply, the market expanded sharply by 15.5% in 2022 to reach 2.04 million tons. This surge was primarily fueled by stable industrial demand from sectors like steel and chemicals. Growth continued into 2023, with the market reaching 2.12 million tons, aided by producers scaling up capacity to meet industrial charcoal demand and the positive influence of the national carbon emission trading system on the industry's low-carbon transition.

Production wood charcoal in China

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, China ranked as the 8th largest producer of wood charcoal during the period from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

China's wood charcoal production declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 1 597 K t of wood charcoal, representing a slight reduction of 0.8% compared to 2019. Over the entire period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 2.4%, which translates to an annualized rate of 0.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in China in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports wood charcoal from China

Exports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, China's wood charcoal exports experienced a decline. In 2020, exports amounted to 79.5 K t, marking a decrease of 14.6% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports overall increased by 4.1%, with an annualized rate of 1.4%. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 93.1 K t, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 13.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and South Korea emerged as the primary markets for China's wood charcoal exports in volume terms. Japan accounted for 43.1% of exports, Saudi Arabia for 9.0%, and South Korea for 8.5%. Together, these three countries represented 60.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

China's wood charcoal exports in value terms grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 181.0 M $ US, an increase of 8.6% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 74.4%, with an annualized growth rate of 20.4%.

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

During 2017–2020, the leading destinations for China's wood charcoal exports in value terms were Japan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Japan held 26.5% of exports, Saudi Arabia 15.7%, and the UAE 8.5%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 50.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports wood charcoal to China

Imports in kind, K t

The market for wood charcoal imports into China showed significant volatility during these years. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 2.4-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, China imported 287.8 K t of wood charcoal, which was 30.1% lower than in 2019. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 411.8 K t, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 74.7%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Myanmar, Indonesia, and Vietnam were the dominant sources for China's wood charcoal imports in volume terms. Together, these three countries accounted for 69.7% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Market performance for wood charcoal imports into China exhibited noticeable fluctuations during this period. Imports hit their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a two-fold gap between these years. In 2020, imports amounted to 70.7 M $ US, representing a steep decline of 28.5% from 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 98.9 M $ US, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 74.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Myanmar, Indonesia, and the Philippines were the main suppliers of wood charcoal to China in value terms. Myanmar accounted for 28.0% of imports, Indonesia for 23.1%, and the Philippines for 18.3%. Together, these three countries comprised 69.4% of total import flows.

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

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