Wood charcoal market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The volume of the wood charcoal market in Germany more than halved from 237 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 122 thousand tonnes in 2023. This sustained decline was driven by a sharp fall in imports, while domestic production remained stable at 30 thousand tonnes annually.

During this period, consumer preferences evolved significantly. By 2022, demand grew for specialized products like hookah charcoal and coconut shell briquettes, reflecting a shift towards higher-quality and more sustainable alternatives. In 2023, wood charcoal prices rose to €1.84 per kg, nearly double the 2010 level, due to increasing raw material costs, which likely affected consumption volumes.

By 2024, a 13.3% decline in German timber harvests posed potential constraints on the raw material base for charcoal. Meanwhile, nearly 60% of new product introductions in the briquette market were based on renewable materials like coconut shells, underscoring a strong sustainability shift supported by over 72% of consumers preferring environmentally friendly fuels.

Production wood charcoal in Germany

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

Germany's wood charcoal production remained stable in 2020, with output reaching 30.0 K t, unchanged from the previous year. The most significant change occurred in 2018, when production showed no variation.

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

Exports wood charcoal from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Germany exported 34.0 K t of wood charcoal, marking a substantial 48.2% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 47%, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.7%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 22.9 K t, which represented a 14.8% decline from the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, France, and Switzerland were Germany's key export partners for wood charcoal in volume terms. The Netherlands accounted for 21.6% of exports, France for 19.8%, and Switzerland for 13.7%, collectively representing 55.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Germany's wood charcoal export value reached 35.0 M $ US in 2020, showing a sharp 42.8% increase from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value rose by 61.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 17.3%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, when export value dropped by 11.3%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, the Netherlands, France, and Switzerland were the leading destinations for Germany's wood charcoal exports in value terms. The Netherlands accounted for 31.0% of export value, France for 16.0%, and Switzerland for 12.9%, together making up 59.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports wood charcoal to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

Germany's wood charcoal imports declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, falling to 166.9 K t, which represents a 22.4% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports dropped by 25.2%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 9.2%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 234.1 K t, when imports increased by 4.9% from the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland, Ukraine, and Paraguay were Germany's main sources of wood charcoal imports in volume terms. Poland accounted for 40.6% of imports, Ukraine for 11.8%, and Paraguay for 9.3%, collectively representing 61.7% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Germany's wood charcoal import value declined for the second year in a row in 2020, reaching 104.1 M $ US, down 11.4% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 11.1%, with a compound annual decline rate of 3.8%. The peak import value was recorded in 2018 at 129.3 M $ US, when imports increased by 10.5% from the previous year.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Poland, Ukraine, and Indonesia were the leading sources of wood charcoal imports to Germany in value terms. Poland accounted for 44.9% of import value, Ukraine for 10.5%, and Indonesia for 10.4%, together representing 65.8% of total import flows.

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

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