Wood charcoal market in Libya

Earlier Report Observations

Libya's wood charcoal market volume grew consistently from 115.6 thousand tons in 2018 to 117.9 thousand tons in 2020, supported by a steady increase in domestic production. This growth occurred despite the cancellation of charcoal manufacturing licenses in the Laasabah region in early 2019 due to forest destruction, which affected local production but did not halt national output.

Between 2021 and 2023, market expansion accelerated, reaching 127.1 thousand tons, as imports rose sharply from 1.8 thousand tons to 6.9 thousand tons. This import surge coincided with reported price movements in African charcoal markets, which likely facilitated increased trade flows into Libya.

In 2024, imports declined to 3.9 thousand tons, while the Libyan economy improved driven by higher oil production, potentially boosting domestic demand for charcoal. Record levels of demand and production for thermal coal were also noted, indicating active market conditions.

Production wood charcoal in Libya

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

Wood charcoal production in Libya has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Libya produced 116.6 thousand tons of wood charcoal, marking a 1.0% improvement compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 3.1%, which translates to an annualized rate of 1.0%.

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

Exports wood charcoal from Libya

Exports in kind, t

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kuwait almost exclusively determined the geographical structure of Libya's wood charcoal exports in kind, accounting for 100.0% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

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

During the 2017–2020 period, the partner base for Libya's wood charcoal exports in value terms was extremely narrow, with Kuwait alone responsible for 100.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports wood charcoal to Libya

Imports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout this period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 3.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Libya imported 1 344 tons of wood charcoal, indicating a 16.6% increase compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 12.3%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 199.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China was the principal market for wood charcoal imports to Libya, accounting for 75.9% of total imports in kind, with other destinations forming a less significant portion.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market during these years. Imports hit their trough in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 2.4-fold gap between these points. In 2020, foreign wood charcoal supplies to Libya amounted to 2 982 thousand US dollars, representing a substantial 24.7% increase compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 3 241 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 26.2%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 135.6%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, China dominated the country structure of Libya's wood charcoal imports in value terms, with a share of 94.0% of total flows.

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

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