Wood charcoal market in Ethiopia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, Ethiopia's wood charcoal market expanded steadily, with production rising from 4 518 thousand tons to 4 728 thousand tons. This growth was primarily driven by continuous household demand for affordable and efficient cooking fuel, especially in rural and semi-urban areas with limited access to alternative energy sources. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 introduced supply chain disruptions, but the market showed resilience as charcoal remained essential for daily cooking needs.

Production continued to increase after 2020, reaching 5 067 thousand tons by 2023. The recovery and further growth were supported by rebounding commercial demand from the hospitality and tourism sectors, which rely on charcoal for traditional cooking methods. During this period, government and international initiatives also promoted more sustainable production practices to address environmental concerns.

Production wood charcoal in Ethiopia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Ethiopia ranked as the world's third-largest producer of wood charcoal.

Top producers of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

Wood charcoal production in Ethiopia grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 4,728 thousand tonnes, a 2.3% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, production rose by 7.1%, averaging an annual growth rate of 2.3%.

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

Exports wood charcoal from Ethiopia

Exports in kind, kg

Ethiopia exported 173 kilograms of wood charcoal in 2018, up 33.1% from 2017.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Ethiopia in kind, 2017-2020, kg

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States and Israel were the dominant export markets, together accounting for 90.8% of total exports in volume, with other countries making up the remainder.

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

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

Exports in value, $ US

In 2018, Ethiopia's wood charcoal exports reached 429 US dollars, a sharp increase of 165.3% from the year before.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (53.1% of export value), Israel (21.5%), and Norway (19.3%) formed the core of Ethiopia's wood charcoal exports by value, collectively representing 93.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports wood charcoal to Ethiopia

Imports in kind, kg

The market showed significant volatility during this period. Imports peaked in 2018 at 90,173 kilograms, then fell sharply to a low of 418 kilograms in 2019—a 99.5% decline and a 216-fold difference between the two years. In 2020, imports rebounded to 10,602 kilograms, a dramatic increase of 2,434.1% from 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Ethiopia in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, China was the clear leader in supplying wood charcoal to Ethiopia, accounting for 94.4% of total imports by volume.

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

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

Imports in value, $ US

The market experienced considerable instability. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 59,373 US dollars, while the lowest was in 2019 at 2,680 US dollars—a 95.5% drop and a 22-fold difference. In 2020, imports rose to approximately 5,592 US dollars, a sudden gain of 108.6% from the prior year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China overwhelmingly dominated Ethiopia's wood charcoal imports by value, representing 93.2% of the total.

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

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