Wood charcoal market in GCC

Earlier Report Observations

The wood charcoal market in the GCC region underwent a pronounced cycle between 2018 and 2023. Market volume peaked at 410 000 tons in 2018 before contracting for two consecutive years, falling to 363 600 tons in 2019 and then to a low of 337 300 tons in 2020. This decline was driven primarily by a sharp drop in import volumes, which fell from 353 900 tons to 282 700 tons over the same period, overwhelming the steady growth in domestic production.

A sustained recovery began in 2021, with market volume expanding each year to reach 406 500 tons by 2023. This rebound was fueled by a restoration of import flows, which climbed back to 347 100 tons in 2022. Throughout the period, domestic production demonstrated consistent growth, increasing from 64 600 tons in 2018 to 71 500 tons in 2023, providing a stable underlying supply.

Production wood charcoal in GCC

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 the GCC has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, GCC countries produced 67 280 tonnes of wood charcoal, marking a 2.0% rise compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 6.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.0%.

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

Exports wood charcoal from GCC

Exports in kind, K t

The export market for wood charcoal from the GCC showed significant volatility during these years. The lowest point was recorded in 2018 at 8.5 thousand tonnes, followed by a sharp increase to a peak of 18.0 thousand tonnes in 2019, representing a 2.1-fold difference. In 2020, exports declined to 12.7 thousand tonnes, which is 29.4% lower than in 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 46.5%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 111.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Iraq, Vietnam, and Jordan were notable buyers of wood charcoal from the GCC, accounting for 3.4%, 3.1%, and 3.0% of exports in kind, respectively. However, their combined share reached only 9.5% of total exports in kind, with the remaining 90.5% distributed among numerous other trading partners.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of wood charcoal exports from the GCC declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 8.6 million US dollars, showing a significant drop of 22.5% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 4.1%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 1.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 14.5 million US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 61.3% and the largest decline in 2019 at 23.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, wood charcoal exports from the GCC in value terms were not highly concentrated. Afghanistan, Jordan, and Iraq accounted for 4.7%, 3.3%, and 2.9% of exports in value, respectively, together capturing only 10.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports wood charcoal to GCC

Imports in kind, K t

Wood charcoal imports into the GCC declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 282.7 thousand tonnes, reflecting a notable decrease of 10.4% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 11.1%, with an average annual decline of 3.9%. The highest import volume was in 2018 at 353.9 thousand tonnes, with the largest increase that year at 11.3% and the largest decline in 2019 at 10.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Vietnam were the primary suppliers of wood charcoal to the GCC, representing 37.2%, 17.5%, and 10.3% of imports in kind, respectively. Together, they accounted for 65.0% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, wood charcoal imports into the GCC declined. In 2020, imports reached 149.0 million US dollars, down by 9.3% compared to 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 164.4 million US dollars, with the largest increase occurring in 2018 at 6.9%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Vietnam stood out as the main sources of wood charcoal imports in value terms for the GCC, accounting for 41.4%, 12.8%, and 9.7% of imports in value, respectively. Together, they represented 63.9% of total import flows.

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

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