Market research

Wood charcoal market in Democratic Republic of the Congo

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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Earlier Report Observations

Wood charcoal production in the DRC exhibited steady growth from 2018 to 2020, starting at 2 631 thousand tons and reaching 2 798 thousand tons. This expansion was facilitated by the informal and largely illegal timber exploitation sector, which operated without stringent oversight and tapped into the country's abundant forest reserves.

Between 2021 and 2023, production continued to climb, surpassing 3 066 thousand tons. The charcoal trade became a revenue source for armed groups in the east, incentivizing higher output. Simultaneously, deforestation linked to charcoal production intensified, reflecting sustained demand from households and industries. While alternative energy projects and eco-charcoal initiatives gained attention, they did not curb the overall production increase.

The market's resilience was evident by 2024, with charcoal accounting for 67% of national energy consumption. This dominance explains the consistent production growth observed earlier, even as policymakers debated transitions to cleaner energy sources.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Democratic Republic of the Congo
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2018-2023, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production wood charcoal in Democratic Republic of the Congo

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo ranked fifth globally in wood charcoal production.

Top producers of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Wood charcoal production in the Democratic Republic of the Congo grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 2 798 thousand tonnes of wood charcoal, representing a 3.1% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 9.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	3.1%	3.1%	3.1%	3.1%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports wood charcoal from Democratic Republic of the Congo

Exports in kind, kg

Cross-border shipments of wood charcoal from the Democratic Republic of the Congo fell for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 51 kilograms, showing a significant decrease of 15.0% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports dropped by 97.5%, with an average annual decline of 70.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020, kg

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(83.9%)	(81.4%)	(15.0%)	(70.6%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Uganda was the leading destination for exports in kind, accounting for 82.2% of total flows, while the remaining share was distributed across various other markets.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, $ US

After a two-year decline, wood charcoal exports from the Democratic Republic of the Congo rebounded. In 2020, the country exported 137 US dollars worth of wood charcoal, up 41.3% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 53.2%, with an average annual decline of 22.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 97 US dollars, and the largest drop occurred that same year, at 66.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2017-2020, $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(0.5%)	(66.7%)	41.3%	(22.3%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the main markets for exports in value terms were Uganda (35.8% of exports), Turkey (32.5%), and Rwanda (16.8%), together making up 85.1% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports wood charcoal to Democratic Republic of the Congo

Imports in kind, kg

The market showed volatility during these years. Imports reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2017, with a sevenfold difference between these years. In 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo imported 13 517 kilograms of wood charcoal, which is 61.8% less than the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 67.0%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 13.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020, kg

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(67.0%)	13.6%	(61.8%)	(47.7%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the top suppliers of wood charcoal to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind were Zambia (41.6% of imports), Lebanon (22.0%), and Germany (11.0%), with their combined share reaching 74.6% of total imports.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, $ US

Wood charcoal imports into the Democratic Republic of the Congo declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 6 302 US dollars, marking a 48.4% decrease year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 83.4%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 45.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2017-2020, $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(36.9%)	(49.0%)	(48.4%)	(45.0%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the primary suppliers of wood charcoal to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in value terms were Lebanon (27.5% of imports), Zambia (19.3%), and Germany (11.9%), jointly accounting for 58.8% of total imports.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io