Wood charcoal market in Melanesia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the wood charcoal market volume in Melanesia showed significant volatility. Starting at 12 288 t in 2018, the market grew to 14 111 t in 2019, then dropped to 12 397 t in 2020, before sharply increasing to 15 397 t in 2021. After a slight decrease to 14 779 t in 2022, the market peaked at 20 316 t in 2023.

Market volume fluctuations were driven by changes in net imports, as production remained relatively stable, gradually rising from 12 148 t to 12 985 t over the same period. The sharp market expansion to 20 316 t in 2023 was primarily due to a significant increase in imports to 7 657 t, which offset moderate production growth.

In 2024, new regulatory and market factors began to influence the sector. The EU Timber Regulation will be replaced in December 2024, extending coverage to wood charcoal and altering market access requirements. Simultaneously, a coconut charcoal shortage in Indonesia and growing global demand for eco-friendly grilling alternatives provided additional stimuli for the regional market.

Production wood charcoal in Melanesia

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 Melanesia has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Melanesia produced 12,474 tonnes of wood charcoal, marking a slight uptick of 1.3% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 4.1%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 1.3%.

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

Exports wood charcoal from Melanesia

Exports in kind, t

The market showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2017, with a 46-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Melanesia exported 156 tonnes of wood charcoal, representing a year-on-year increase of 2,922.3%. The minimum volume was recorded in 2019 at 5 tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 96.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland and China remained the primary markets for exports in kind, jointly accounting for 96.2% of total flows, with other partners making up the remainder.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility over the observed period. Export values hit their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2017, with a 3.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Melanesia exported wood charcoal worth 85.7 thousand US dollars, showing a steep improvement of 122.4% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 38.5 thousand US dollars, and the largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 50.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, three principal markets—China, Poland, and the Cook Islands—together accounted for 70.2% of the total value of wood charcoal exports from Melanesia.

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

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

Imports wood charcoal to Melanesia

Imports in kind, t

Volatility characterized the market during these years. Import volumes reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2019, with a 23-fold difference between these years. In 2020, wood charcoal imports into Melanesia totaled 80 tonnes, representing an intense decrease of 95.6% from 2019. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 1,808 tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2019, rising by 1,118.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India and Australia remained the main suppliers of wood charcoal to Melanesia, with a combined share of 81.5% of total imports in kind, while other countries accounted for the fragmented remainder.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year increase, Melanesia's wood charcoal imports declined. In 2020, imports reached 95.9 thousand US dollars, down by 38.5% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 10.9%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 3.5%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 155.9 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in 2018, rising by 38.3%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Australia (24.7% of imports in value terms), France (18.4% of imports in value terms), and New Zealand (14.3% of imports in value terms) remained the leading sources in the country structure of imports in value terms, with a combined share of 57.4% of total flows.

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

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