Wood charcoal market in Côte d'Ivoire

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, the wood charcoal market volume in Côte d'Ivoire increased from 535.2 to 558.0 thousand tonnes. This gradual expansion occurred alongside efforts to promote sustainable charcoal production, including a decade-long partnership between the MALEBI association and the Forest Development Society (SODEFOR) for managed forest areas, and regulatory requirements for operator licensing and compensatory reforestation.

Market growth paused in 2022, with volume reaching 558.5 thousand tonnes, as projects to modernize carbonization techniques were halted, limiting efficiency gains. The following year saw a notable rise to 570.0 thousand tonnes, driven by increased production and commercialization, the entry of new producers and wholesalers offering diversified products like hard charcoal and coconut charcoal, and stronger demand for quality charcoal in both domestic and export markets.

In 2024, market activity remained robust with continued large-scale commercialization by professional producers, sustained regulatory focus on legality and quality, and growing awareness of eco-friendly charcoal alternatives to reduce environmental and health impacts.

Production wood charcoal in Côte d'Ivoire

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Côte d'Ivoire ranked as the 23rd largest producer of wood charcoal globally.

Top producers of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

Côte d'Ivoire's wood charcoal production grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 552.1 K t of wood charcoal, a 1.3% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 4%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports wood charcoal from Côte d'Ivoire

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Côte d'Ivoire's wood charcoal exports fell. In 2020, exports dropped to 1 908 t, a sharp 38.3% decline from the previous year. The highest export volume was in 2019 at 3 092 t, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, rising by 47.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, China (36.8% of exports by volume), the United Arab Emirates (16.6%), and Lebanon (13.5%) were the top markets for Côte d'Ivoire's wood charcoal exports, together accounting for 67.0% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values showed significant volatility during this period. The peak was in 2018, while the lowest point was in 2020, with a 2.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Côte d'Ivoire exported 272.0 K $ US of wood charcoal, a 46.4% decrease from 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 594.2 K $ US, with the largest increase also in 2018 at 111.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Côte d'Ivoire's wood charcoal exports in value terms were distributed across a wide range of markets. China (20.4% of export value), Lebanon (15.4%), and Jordan (12.6%) together made up 48.4% of total export value, with numerous smaller destinations comprising the remaining 51.6%.

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

World map of product's exports from Côte d'Ivoire in value, 2017-2020

Imports wood charcoal to Côte d'Ivoire

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes were unstable over this timeframe. The lowest point was in 2018, while the peak was in 2020, with a 6.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Côte d'Ivoire imported 332 t of wood charcoal, an 84.0% increase from 2019. The minimum volume was in 2018 at 52 t, with the largest decline that year at 8.2%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, rising by 246.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020, t

During 2017-2020, the United Arab Emirates (39.8% of imports by volume), China (22.8%), and Lebanon (19.9%) were the main sources for Côte d'Ivoire's wood charcoal imports, collectively representing 82.5% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Import values displayed volatility from 2017 to 2020. The lowest value was in 2018, while the highest was in 2020, with a 4.6-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Côte d'Ivoire imported 332.0 K $ US of wood charcoal, a sharp 84.8% increase compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 34.6 K $ US, with the largest decline that year at 7.3%. The largest increase was in 2019, up by 150.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates (33.5% of import value), China (30.5%), and Indonesia (16.8%) consistently led as the top sources for Côte d'Ivoire's wood charcoal imports in value terms, together accounting for 80.8% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Côte d'Ivoire in value, 2017-2020