Wood charcoal market in Eastern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the wood charcoal market in Eastern Africa expanded steadily, with volume rising from 14 824 тыс. т to 15 260 тыс. т. This growth occurred against a backdrop of official charcoal production bans that were often tolerated in practice, allowing supply to continue. State actors began reconsidering these bans as early as 2018 to capture economic benefits, which helped maintain production levels. Meanwhile, persistently high charcoal prices, driven by regulatory constraints on supply, likely incentivized continued activity within the sector. Government initiatives in 2020 to promote more sustainable charcoal production methods further supported market volume.

The market's growth accelerated between 2021 and 2022, with volume increasing by over 6% to 16 826 тыс. т. This surge coincided with ongoing policy discussions aimed at balancing environmental protection with the economic importance of the charcoal trade for local livelihoods. The sustained reconsideration of charcoal bans, explicitly to support incomes, provided a more permissive environment for production. During this period, the entry of new players and the expansion of facilities for biomass briquettes represented a shift in the broader energy landscape, but the primary driver for charcoal market growth remained the pragmatic relaxation of enforcement to alleviate supply shortages and high prices.

In 2023, the wood charcoal market reached 17 084 тыс. т, though the pace of growth moderated compared to the previous year. The market continued to reflect the established dynamic of resilient demand meeting a supply base that operates within a complex regulatory framework.

Production wood charcoal in Eastern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

Wood charcoal production in Eastern Africa has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, production reached 15 260 K t, representing a slight rise of 1.5% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 4.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.6%.

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

Exports wood charcoal from Eastern Africa

Exports in kind, t

Cross-border shipments of wood charcoal from Eastern Africa have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 135 t, which is 98.1% lower than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 99.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 85.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and South Africa accounted for the largest share of exports in kind. Saudi Arabia represented 49.3% of exports, the United Arab Emirates 22.1%, and South Africa 18.1%. Together, these three countries comprised 89.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Eastern Africa's wood charcoal export volume has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 69 K $ US, indicating a steep fall of 95.9% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 99.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 83.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates accounted for the largest share of exports in value terms. Saudi Arabia represented 53.0% of exports, Kuwait 24.8%, and the United Arab Emirates 9.9%. Together, these three countries comprised 87.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports wood charcoal to Eastern Africa

Imports in kind, t

Eastern Africa's wood charcoal import volume has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 505 t, representing a 6.8% fall compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 51.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 21.7%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, South Africa, China, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo stood out as the main markets for imports in kind. South Africa accounted for 57.1% of imports, China for 5.9%, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo for 2.5%. Together, these three countries represented 65.5% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Wood charcoal deliveries to Eastern Africa have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 359 K $ US, marking a fall of 7.7% relative to the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 48.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 20.0%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, South Africa, China, and the United Arab Emirates headed the ranking of suppliers of wood charcoal to Eastern Africa in value terms. South Africa accounted for 56.8% of imports, China for 9.5%, and the United Arab Emirates for 4.5%. Their combined share reached 70.8% of total imports in value terms.

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

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