Market research

Wood charcoal market in Gambia

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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Earlier Report Observations

Gambia's wood charcoal production increased steadily from 69 328 tons in 2018 to 75 970 tons in 2023, driving overall market volume growth despite fluctuations in imports. The government's efforts to improve natural resource governance and land tenure security provided a foundation for sustained production.

Market volume dipped in 2020 as awareness campaigns highlighted deforestation risks and promoted alternative cooking fuels to reduce household dependence on charcoal. This was followed by a recovery, bolstered in 2022 by the suspension of all wood export authorizations, which redirected timber supply to domestic charcoal production.

By 2023, the market stabilized near 77 869 tons. In 2024, the inauguration of a large-scale solar park and continued policy focus on energy transition marked significant developments in Gambia's energy sector.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Gambia
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Gambia in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in Gambia in value, 2018-2023, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Gambia in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Gambia by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Gambia in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Gambia by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Gambia, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Gambia by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Gambia in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Gambia by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Gambia in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Gambia by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Gambia, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Gambia by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Trade balance
1. 7.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 7.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 7.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 7.2.2. In value, K $ US
8. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 8.1. Direct Data
  1. 8.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 8.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 8.2. Mirror Data
  1. 8.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 8.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production wood charcoal in Gambia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Wood charcoal production in Gambia has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 71 914 tonnes of wood charcoal, marking a modest year-over-year increase of 1.8%. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 5.6%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 1.8%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	1.8%	1.8%	1.8%	1.8%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports wood charcoal from Gambia

As detailed in the marketing report, there were no exports of wood charcoal from Gambia between 2017 and 2020.

Imports wood charcoal to Gambia

Imports in kind, t

Imported wood charcoal volumes in Gambia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 1 180 tonnes, representing a significant year-over-year decrease of 65.6%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 63.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -28.7%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 3 794 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 16.7% that year.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	16.7%	(9.6%)	(65.6%)	(28.7%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Senegal was by far the main source for wood charcoal imports to Gambia, accounting for 97.5% of total import flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of gains, the value of wood charcoal imports to Gambia declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 349.2 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp decrease of 48.7% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 4.5%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 1.5%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 681.0 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a rise of 61.5%.

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