Wood charcoal market in Gabon

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018, Gabon's wood charcoal production entered a phase of steady growth, primarily driven by the government's reinforced log export ban, which mandated local timber processing to stimulate industrialization. This policy directly expanded domestic manufacturing capacity, leading to higher output. Concurrently, the push for mandatory FSC certification by 2022 aimed to enhance the sustainability and international market access for Gabonese wood products, further supporting sector development.

Growth continued through 2021 and 2022, with the forestry sector significantly increasing its contribution to Gabon's GDP. The establishment of a national timber traceability system in 2022 strengthened controls over legality and product quality, bolstering market integrity. Strong export demand, particularly from Asian markets, persisted for processed wood products, contributing to the overall positive momentum despite ongoing logistical challenges.

In 2023, production continued to rise even amid the collapse of the key Chinese market for Gabonese forest products. The regulated resumption of precious kévazingo timber harvesting, previously banned since 2018, provided additional raw material. Continued efforts towards certification and traceability maintained the framework for sector development, underscoring its resilience.

Production wood charcoal in Gabon

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 Gabon has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Gabon produced 24 047 tonnes of wood charcoal, marking a 1.6% improvement over the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 4.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.6%.

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

Exports wood charcoal from Gabon

Exports in kind, kg

In 2020, Gabon's wood charcoal exports totaled 152 kilograms, showing no significant change compared to 2019. Between 2018 and 2020, exports decreased by 99%, which equates to an annualized decline of 78.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China dominated the geographical structure of Gabon's wood charcoal exports in kind, accounting for 99.0% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, $ US

Gabon exported 1 488 US dollars worth of wood charcoal in 2020, recording only a marginal fluctuation from the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2020, exports decreased by 76%, with a compound annual growth rate of -37.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China accounted for 80.6% of Gabon's total wood charcoal exports in value terms, while the remaining flows were distributed among multiple smaller partners.

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

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

Imports wood charcoal to Gabon

Imports in kind, kg

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a 2.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Gabon imported approximately 13 488 kilograms of wood charcoal, reflecting a steep gain of 112.7% compared to the prior year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 5 844 kilograms, with the largest decline of 6.6% occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, two markets—Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates—played leading roles in Gabon's wood charcoal imports in kind, together accounting for 86.8% of total flows, while the rest was distributed among other destinations.

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

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

Imports in value, $ US

Volatility characterized market behavior during these years. Imports varied 2.1 times from the low in 2019 to the high in 2020. In 2020, wood charcoal deliveries to Gabon totaled 13 181 US dollars, reflecting a steep uptick of 111.3% from a year earlier. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 6 237 US dollars, with the largest decline of 41.7% occurring that year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Lebanon (41.0% of imports in value terms), the United Arab Emirates (23.4% of imports in value terms), and India (10.3% of imports in value terms) formed the main group of destinations for Gabon's wood charcoal imports in value terms, with a combined share of 74.7% of total flows.

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

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