Wood charcoal market in Djibouti

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the wood charcoal market in Djibouti expanded from 51 047 t to 57 693 t, with consumption peaking at 59 203 t in 2021. The market initially operated informally with heavy reliance on wood charcoal imports from Ethiopia, particularly for use in rural areas and festive occasions, while official energy data remained incomplete.

After 2021, market volume corrected slightly but stabilized by 2023. Throughout this period, Djibouti's energy sector depended entirely on imported charcoal for electricity generation, and the state-owned Électricité de Djibouti (EDD) maintained a monopoly over power transmission and distribution.

In 2023, the government created a national geothermal company to develop renewable energy and reduce dependence on imported charcoal. The following year, authorities drafted a law to regulate the import, storage, transport, and distribution of hydrocarbons, aiming to formalize the energy market which includes charcoal.

Production wood charcoal in Djibouti

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

Wood charcoal production in Djibouti has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 55 473 tonnes of wood charcoal, marking a slight increase of 1.3% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 4%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 1.3%.

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

Exports wood charcoal from Djibouti

Exports in kind, t

Cross-border shipments of wood charcoal from Djibouti have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 10 tonnes, representing a significant decrease of 99.4% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 100%, with an annualized decline rate of 93.9%.

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

Throughout the period from 2017 to 2020, the country structure of exports in kind was primarily shaped by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which together accounted for 87.6% of total flows. Other markets contributed to a long tail of smaller shares.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Cross-border shipments of wood charcoal from Djibouti have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports were recorded at 8 thousand US dollars, down by 99.1% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 99.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -91.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait concentrated the majority of exports in value terms of wood charcoal from Djibouti, while other markets formed a less significant perimeter.

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

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

Imports wood charcoal to Djibouti

Imports in kind, t

Djibouti's wood charcoal imports have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported a total of 7 tonnes of wood charcoal, up by 99.3% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports surged by 533.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 85.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China (with 37.4% of imports in kind), Turkey (19.6%), and the United Arab Emirates (18.4%) together absorbed 75.4% of total imports in kind of wood charcoal to Djibouti, making them the main directions for imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Wood charcoal deliveries to Djibouti have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Djibouti imported 14 thousand US dollars worth of wood charcoal, which is 188.7% higher compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports soared by 1 334.1%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 143.0%.

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

Throughout the period from 2017 to 2020, China clearly dominated imports in value terms of wood charcoal to Djibouti, taking 73.6% of total flows. Other countries each held significantly smaller shares.

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

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