Wood charcoal market in New Caledonia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the wood charcoal market in New Caledonia experienced fluctuations, with volume peaking at 771.6 t in 2022 before settling at 752.4 t in 2023. Domestic production grew steadily from 640 t to 691 t, supported by the rollout of FSC certification for sustainable forestry, which began in 2018 and saw its first major milestone with the certification of 58 000 hectares in 2022. This framework enhanced the management of wood resources, providing a more stable supply for charcoal production.

Import levels varied considerably, from 42.4 t in 2018 to a high of 90.6 t in 2022, directly driving the overall market size. The North Province Environmental Code, published in 2019, introduced regulations on timber harvesting, potentially shaping the availability of local wood. The full implementation of the tailored FSC standard in 2021 further solidified sustainable practices, coinciding with a production increase to 670 t that year.

In 2024, new regulatory measures were introduced, including an absolute ban on exports of raw sandalwood to encourage local processing and a plan to develop a sustainable timber sector in South Province with 1 500 hectares of plantations. These steps aim to transform the forest resource base, while stricter local air quality rules and rising global coal prices present new factors for the charcoal market.

Production wood charcoal in New Caledonia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

New Caledonia's wood charcoal production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 660.0 tonnes of wood charcoal, marking a 1.5% increase from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production rose by 4.9%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in New Caledonia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports wood charcoal from New Caledonia

According to industry reports, New Caledonia did not export any wood charcoal from 2017 to 2020.

Imports wood charcoal to New Caledonia

Imports in kind, kg

In 2020, New Caledonia imported 36 568 kg of wood charcoal, a sharp decline of 43.9% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 30.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -11.6%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 65 238 kg, which also saw the largest increase of 53.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to New Caledonia in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, China, France, and Indonesia dominated New Caledonia's wood charcoal imports by volume. China accounted for 40.9% of imports, France for 29.0%, and Indonesia for 22.6%, together making up 92.6% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, $ US

Market performance showed significant fluctuations during this period. The lowest import value was recorded in 2018 at 24 253 US dollars, while the highest was in 2019 at 61 914 US dollars, resulting in a peak-to-trough ratio of 2.6 times. In 2020, New Caledonia imported 32 625 US dollars worth of wood charcoal, a 47.3% drop from 2019. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 155.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, China, and Indonesia were the primary sources of wood charcoal imports to New Caledonia by value. France led with 53.6% of imports, followed by China at 20.3%, and Indonesia at 13.2%. Combined, these three countries accounted for 87.0% of total import value.

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

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