Wood charcoal market in Lebanon

Earlier Report Observations

The wood charcoal market in Lebanon saw considerable volatility between 2018 and 2023. Starting at a high of 65 thousand tons in 2018, the market volume was supported by a doubling in demand for hookah charcoal and the arrival of new specialized products. This period also saw the entry of local producers like Biofire, which utilized wood panel waste. Imports then fell over the next three years, reducing the market to 30 thousand tons by 2021. A sharp recovery followed in 2022, with volume rebounding to 48 thousand tons, before a slight decrease to 46 thousand tons in 2023, while domestic production held steady at 3 thousand tons throughout.

The market's decline from 2019 coincided with environmental reports criticizing the damage from coal use in cement plants and calls for these factories to be moved away from residential areas. The strong growth in 2022 was primarily driven by increased global coal production and a shift in Lebanese imports toward African charcoal from countries like Somalia, alongside the launch of new production lines within the country to meet demand. By 2024, the market was characterized by sustained demand for high-quality barbecue and hookah charcoal, with a notable structural shift as many traditional producers in towns like Qabait transitioned to becoming traders.

Production wood charcoal in Lebanon

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

Lebanon's wood charcoal production remained virtually unchanged in 2020, totaling 3,000 tonnes, which was similar to the 2019 level. The largest decline and increase both occurred in 2018, each at 0.0%.

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

Exports wood charcoal from Lebanon

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. In 2018, exports reached their highest point at 219 tonnes, while in 2019 they fell to their lowest at 34 tonnes, representing a peak-to-trough ratio of 6.4 times. In 2020, Lebanon exported 138 tonnes of wood charcoal, marking a dramatic increase of 304.6% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 84.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Lebanon's wood charcoal exports were distributed across numerous markets. Congo accounted for 12.9% of exports in kind, Canada for 11.3%, and Iraq for 9.1%, with these three countries together making up only 33.3% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility over the observed period. Export volumes peaked in 2018 and reached their lowest point in 2017, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 4.1 times. In 2020, Lebanon's foreign wood charcoal supplies totaled 112,000 US dollars, showing a steep gain of 91.5% from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 127,000 US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 53.9%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 309.5%.

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

During 2017–2020, Congo, Canada, and Gabon were the largest buyers of wood charcoal from Lebanon in value terms, contributing 13.0%, 10.2%, and 9.3% of exports, respectively. However, their combined share was limited to 32.5% of total exports, reflecting a diversified country structure.

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

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

Imports wood charcoal to Lebanon

Imports in kind, t

Lebanon's wood charcoal imports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 29,690 tonnes, down by 39.3% from the prior year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 32.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -12.4%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 62,440 tonnes, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 41.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Thailand were the main sources for Lebanon's wood charcoal imports in kind. Indonesia accounted for 38.8% of imports, Nigeria for 34.6%, and Thailand for 7.9%, together representing 81.4% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Lebanon's wood charcoal imports declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports stood at 20,391,000 US dollars, indicating a drop of 38.5% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports decreased by 9%, with a CAGR of -3.1%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 33,707,000 US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 50.4%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Thailand formed the core of Lebanon's wood charcoal imports in value terms. Indonesia contributed 45.5%, Nigeria 29.2%, and Thailand 8.4%, with these three countries together accounting for 83.1% of total flows.

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

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