Wood charcoal market in Eswatini

Earlier Report Observations

Eswatini's wood charcoal market volume expanded steadily from 44 027 t in 2018 to 56 982 t in 2023. The most pronounced annual increase occurred in 2020, when consumption rose by over 11% to reach 53 002 t. Growth continued in subsequent years, though at a more moderate pace of 2-3% annually.

In value terms, the market experienced greater volatility. It peaked at 7 375 thousand $ US in 2019 before declining through 2022 to a low of 5 755 thousand $ US. A notable recovery followed in 2023, with market value jumping by 14% to 6 548 thousand $ US, even as physical volume grew only modestly.

By 2023, the national energy policy aiming to halve electricity imports from South Africa had created opportunities for renewable energy investments, including biomass. This focus on domestic energy sources likely supported demand for wood charcoal as a traditional fuel. Eswatini's membership in regional trade blocs like SACU and SADC also shaped the trade environment for this commodity.

Production wood charcoal in Eswatini

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 Eswatini has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 53 853 tonnes of wood charcoal, representing a 2.1% year-over-year increase. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 6.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.1%.

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

Exports wood charcoal from Eswatini

Exports in kind, t

The market showed signs of volatility during the observed period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with an 8.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Eswatini exported 944 tonnes of wood charcoal, marking an 82.6% decrease compared to the previous year. The maximum volume was recorded in 2018 at 7 757 tonnes, with the largest increase occurring that year at 746.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of exports in kind was highly concentrated, with South Africa accounting for 100.0% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Export values varied significantly, with an 11-fold difference between the minimum in 2017 and the maximum in 2018. In 2020, Eswatini's wood charcoal exports totaled 128 thousand US dollars, indicating a sharp decrease of 84.7% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 1 233 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase occurring that year at 1,002.6%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, exports in value terms remained heavily focused on South Africa, which accounted for 100.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports wood charcoal to Eswatini

Imports in kind, t

Cross-border shipments of wood charcoal to Eswatini increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 92 tonnes, indicating a modest rise of 2.6% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 37%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of imports in kind was highly concentrated, with South Africa alone accounting for 99.9% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year increase, wood charcoal deliveries to Eswatini declined. In 2020, import volume amounted to 53 thousand US dollars, which is 27.0% less than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 9.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.3%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 73 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase occurring in 2018 at 21.6%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, South Africa remained the almost exclusive supplier of wood charcoal to Eswatini, with a share of 97.6% of total imports in value terms.

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

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