Wood charcoal market in ECOWAS

Earlier Report Observations

The wood charcoal market in ECOWAS grew from 10.94 million t in 2018 to 12.10 million t in 2022, supported by a 23% surge in global charcoal exports and steady worldwide consumption that boosted African production. Local development in Côte d'Ivoire aimed to modernize the sector and meet rising rural energy demand, even amid deforestation pressures.

Market volume eased slightly to 11.91 million t in 2023, coinciding with a broader downturn in global charcoal consumption and exports. Earlier initiatives, such as the 2019 study for FSC‑certified tropical charcoal and Nigerian government rules on sustainable forest management and export regulation, sought to improve quality and environmental sustainability.

Charcoal remains the primary energy source for rural populations across the region, while the absence of harmonized ECOWAS‑wide regulations has maintained a largely informal market. By 2024, African export prices stabilized around 383 USD/t after earlier volatility, and global thermal coal price increases—linked to Middle‑East conflict‑driven energy disruptions—indirectly influenced local trade dynamics.

Production wood charcoal in ECOWAS

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

In 2020, ECOWAS produced 11 211 thousand tonnes of wood charcoal, marking a slight increase of 2.9% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 4.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.4%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 0.6%.

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

Exports wood charcoal from ECOWAS

Exports in kind, t

The market showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 6.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, ECOWAS exported 5 035 tonnes of wood charcoal, representing a sharp contraction of 56.7% year-over-year. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2018 at 16 680 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 543.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the top buyers of wood charcoal from ECOWAS were Portugal, accounting for 21.5% of exports in kind, Lebanon with 16.1%, and China at 14.9%. Together, these three countries represented 52.5% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Export values dropped to their minimum in 2020 and climbed to their maximum in 2018, showing a 19-fold shift. In 2020, ECOWAS's wood charcoal exports were valued at 1 046 thousand US dollars, indicating a dramatic fall of 38.2% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 19 843 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 91.5%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 13.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey dominated the country structure of exports in value terms, accounting for 74.7% of total flows. Other destinations contributed relatively small shares.

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

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

Imports wood charcoal to ECOWAS

Imports in kind, t

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Imports fell to their lowest point in 2017 and hit their maximum in 2019, with a gap of 2.9 times between these years. In 2020, ECOWAS imported 2 919 tonnes of wood charcoal, down by 11.4% year-over-year. The maximum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 3 295 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 108.7%.

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

In the period from 2017 to 2020, the partner portfolio for imports in kind of wood charcoal to ECOWAS was quite broad. China accounted for 9.5% of imports in kind, South Africa for 7.1%, and the United States for 5.2%. Together, these three countries represented only 21.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Import values dropped to their trough in 2017 and peaked in 2019, showing a 3.8-fold variation. In 2020, imported wood charcoal volumes in ECOWAS amounted to 1 729 thousand US dollars, marking a decline of 27.4% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 2 382 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 98.8%.

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

The market base for imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was wide. The United States accounted for 20.1% of imports in value terms, China for 19.1%, and South Africa for 10.6%. Together, these three countries jointly accounted for just 49.8% of total flows, with the remaining 50.2% shared by numerous other countries.

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

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