Wood charcoal market in Myanmar

Earlier Report Observations

The wood charcoal market in Myanmar stood at 372 thousand tons in 2018, with the country emerging as a significant exporter to China and Thailand. Market volume grew by 17.6% to 437.5 thousand tons in 2019, then contracted over the next two years, falling to 345 thousand tons in 2020 and to 259.7 thousand tons in 2021.

A sharp recovery followed in 2022, with volume jumping 55.8% to 404.6 thousand tons, and climbing a further 40.8% to 569.6 thousand tons in 2023. This expansion coincided with continued deforestation in Shan State, where charcoal production remained a key driver of tree cover loss amid weak enforcement of existing cutting restrictions.

Throughout the period, Myanmar maintained its role as a regional charcoal supplier, with border trade to China and Thailand influencing production levels. The link between charcoal output and forest loss in northern conflict zones persisted as a defining feature of the market.

Production wood charcoal in Myanmar

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

After two years of growth, wood charcoal production in Myanmar declined. In 2020, Myanmar produced 345.0 thousand tons of wood charcoal, which represents a 21.3% decrease from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 6.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.1%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 438.2 thousand tons, which also saw the largest annual increase of 17.6%.

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

Exports wood charcoal from Myanmar

Exports in kind, t

The market showed significant volatility during these years. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2020 at 72.0 tons, marking a sharp 90.2% decrease compared to 2019. The peak was recorded in 2018 at 839.3 tons, which represented a substantial 389.1% increase from the previous year. Overall, export volumes varied by 11.7 times between the high in 2018 and the low in 2020.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China dominated Myanmar's wood charcoal exports in volume terms, accounting for 73.3% of total flows. Other trading partners held relatively minor shares during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Export values reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 25-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Myanmar exported $51.1 thousand worth of wood charcoal, representing a steep 77.0% decline compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at $615.0 thousand, which saw an extraordinary 2,399.8% increase from 2017.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand and China together accounted for 99.2% of Myanmar's wood charcoal exports in value terms. The remaining flows were distributed thinly across other markets.

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

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

Imports wood charcoal to Myanmar

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. The lowest point was recorded in 2019 at 24.7 tons, which represented a 93.8% decline from the previous year. In 2020, foreign wood charcoal supplies to Myanmar reached 57.6 tons, corresponding to a significant 133.3% increase compared to 2019. The peak was recorded in 2018 at 398.2 tons. Overall, import volumes varied by 16 times between the high in 2018 and the low in 2019.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, imports of wood charcoal to Myanmar in volume terms were heavily concentrated, with China and Thailand together accounting for 99.9% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Import values exhibited noticeable fluctuations during this period. The minimum was recorded in 2019 at $14.7 thousand, which saw a 91.1% decline from the previous year. In 2020, foreign wood charcoal supplies to Myanmar stood at $19.4 thousand, up by 31.7% from a year earlier. The maximum value was recorded in 2017. Overall, import values shifted by 13.1 times between the peak in 2017 and the trough in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China and Thailand dominated the geographical structure of wood charcoal imports to Myanmar in value terms, jointly accounting for 99.9% of total flows.

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

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