Wood charcoal market in Colombia

Earlier Report Observations

The physical volume of the wood charcoal market in Colombia remained remarkably stable from 2018 to 2021, hovering around 91 000 to 92 000 tons annually. This stability coincided with the introduction of national commercialization guidelines in 2018, which established traceability requirements for the source wood and production volumes for all charcoal traded, potentially consolidating formal market activity. The market volume then grew to 94 600 tons in 2022 and held at 94 500 tons in 2023.

In value terms, the market exhibited more pronounced swings, rising from 47.8 million US dollars in 2018 to a peak of 52.3 million in 2019 before contracting. A significant surge to 64.8 million US dollars occurred in 2023. Regulatory developments in carbon markets, including the 2021 strengthening of the national emissions registry to improve transparency and the 2022 introduction of rules for carbon credit validation and a revised tax on greenhouse gas emissions, created a financial framework that likely enhanced the perceived value of charcoal production within broader environmental mitigation efforts.

Production wood charcoal in Colombia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

In 2020, Colombia produced 102.0 thousand tons of wood charcoal, showing only a marginal fluctuation compared to 2019. Production decreased by 36.3% between 2017 and 2020, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 13.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 102.0 thousand tons, which also marked the largest decline of 36.3% that year. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest increase, though it was minimal at 0.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the output of wood charcoal in Colombia was valued at 56 413 thousand US dollars, reflecting a slight year-over-year decline of 2.5%. From 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 24.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -9.0%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 53 553 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 28.5%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 8.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Colombia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports wood charcoal from Colombia

Exports in kind, t

Colombia exported 10 420 tons of wood charcoal in 2020, up by 4.2% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 9.4%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 3.0%. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2018 at 11 155 tons, which also saw the largest increase of 17.1%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 10.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the principal destinations for Colombia's wood charcoal exports in kind were Israel (accounting for 41.7% of exports), Lebanon (21.9%), and the United States (15.8%). Together, these three countries represented 79.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the value of wood charcoal exports from Colombia stood at 5 763 thousand US dollars, showing a slight year-over-year rise of 1.5%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, export value increased by 29.2%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.9%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 5 857 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 31.3%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 3.1%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the key partners for Colombia's wood charcoal exports in value terms were Israel (40.7% of exports), Lebanon (24.6%), and the United States (13.3%). Collectively, these three countries accounted for 78.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports wood charcoal to Colombia

Imports in kind, t

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Imports peaked in 2018 and fell to their lowest point in 2020, with a 22-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Colombia imported approximately 33 tons of wood charcoal, representing a sharp decrease of 37.6% compared to the previous year. The maximum import volume was recorded in 2018 at 720 tons, which also saw the largest increase of 537.3%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 92.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the structure of wood charcoal imports in kind was dominated by Venezuela, which absorbed 83.5% of total flows, alongside a large number of minor partners.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Imports reached their highest value in 2018 and their lowest in 2017, reflecting a 4-fold gap. In 2020, Colombia imported a total of 68 thousand US dollars worth of wood charcoal, amounting to a drop of 30.4% from 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 120 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 298.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations in the geographical breakdown of wood charcoal imports to Colombia in value terms were China (38.1% of imports), the United States (25.4%), and Venezuela (15.8%). Together, these three countries accounted for 79.3% of total import flows.

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

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