Wood charcoal market in Moldova

Earlier Report Observations

The wood charcoal market in Moldova experienced significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. Starting at 1 492 t in 2018, market volume jumped to 1 826 t in 2019, then contracted to 1 448 t in 2020. A recovery followed, with the market reaching 1 786 t in 2021 and then accelerating to 2 321 t in 2022.

Market volume peaked at 2 876 t in 2023, a 23.9% increase from the previous year. This growth was supported by substantial household demand for solid fuels, as approximately 64.4% of Moldovan households relied on wood and charcoal stoves for heating. Ample wood fuel stocks ensured steady supply, facilitating market expansion.

Production wood charcoal in Moldova

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

In 2019, Moldova's wood charcoal production reached its peak at 542 tons, but then declined to 522 tons in 2020, marking a 3.7% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the broader 2017-2020 period, production grew by 2.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 432 tons. The most significant production drop occurred in 2018 with a 15.0% decline, while the largest increase happened in 2019 with a 25.5% rise.

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

Exports wood charcoal from Moldova

Exports in kind, t

The export market for wood charcoal showed considerable volatility during this period. In 2017, exports hit their lowest point, then surged to a peak of 136 tons in 2019, creating a 7.8-fold difference between these two years. By 2020, exports had fallen to 42 tons, representing a sharp 69.1% decline compared to 2019. The most dramatic increase occurred in 2019 with a 518.3% jump.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Romania dominated Moldova's wood charcoal exports in volume terms, accounting for 72.2% of total shipments. The remaining exports were distributed among numerous smaller trading partners.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values followed an unstable pattern throughout the 2017-2020 timeframe. The lowest point came in 2017, followed by a peak in 2019, with an 8.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Moldova's wood charcoal exports totaled $38.8 thousand, reflecting a 46.6% contraction from the previous year. The maximum export value was recorded in 2019 at $72.6 thousand, while the largest percentage increase occurred that same year with a 550.6% surge.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Romania and Israel were the primary destinations for Moldova's wood charcoal exports in value terms, together representing 81.9% of total export earnings. Other markets each accounted for relatively minor shares.

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

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

Imports wood charcoal to Moldova

Imports in kind, t

After rising for two consecutive years, Moldova's wood charcoal imports declined in 2020 to 968 tons, representing a 31.8% decrease from 2019. Over the full 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 19.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.2%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 420 tons, while the largest percentage increase occurred in 2018 with a 34.1% rise.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Ukraine was the dominant source for Moldova's wood charcoal imports in volume terms, supplying 87.3% of total imports. Other countries contributed much smaller quantities.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Following two years of growth, the value of Moldova's wood charcoal imports declined in 2020 to $656.3 thousand, showing a significant 26.3% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import values increased by 53%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 15.2%. The peak import value was recorded in 2019 at $890.5 thousand, while the largest percentage increase occurred in 2018 with a 48.8% rise.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, Ukraine and Indonesia were the main sources of Moldova's wood charcoal imports in value terms, together accounting for 93.5% of total import spending. Other markets represented much smaller shares.

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

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