Wood charcoal market in Nigeria

Earlier Report Observations

Nigeria's wood charcoal market volume grew consistently from 4.6 million tons in 2018 to nearly 5 million tons in 2023. This expansion was anchored by the country's role as Africa's top charcoal producer, where production served as a vital income source for rural farmers during agricultural low seasons, maintaining output even as wood sourcing difficulties emerged.

Market value increased by around 9% in 2022, signaling heightened demand or price strength, while production and consumption continued to rise through 2023.

In 2024, the Federal Ministry of Environment introduced revised export policy guidelines requiring sustainable forest plantation initiatives from industry participants. This regulatory change coincided with a slight decrease in consumption, halting the seven-year growth trend.

Production wood charcoal in Nigeria

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Nigeria ranked second globally in wood charcoal production from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

Nigeria's wood charcoal production increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 4,751 thousand tonnes, marking a 1.7% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 5.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.7%.

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

Exports wood charcoal from Nigeria

Exports in kind, t

The export market showed an unstable trend during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 1,789-fold difference between these years. In 2020, wood charcoal exports from Nigeria totaled 2,111 tonnes, a 72.5% decrease year-over-year. The maximum volume was recorded in 2018 at 12,585 tonnes, with the largest increase occurring that year at 178,759.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main markets for Nigeria's wood charcoal exports in volume terms were Portugal (33.7% of exports), Lebanon (19.6%), and Turkey (10.4%), together accounting for 63.7% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The export market in value terms was characterized by volatility. Exports hit their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 591-fold gap. In 2020, wood charcoal exports from Nigeria were valued at 467 thousand US dollars, a 49.6% drop from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 2,063 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline in 2019 at 55.1% and the largest increase in 2018 at 58,981.9%.

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

The structure of exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 indicates a diversified set of partners. Lebanon (24.2% of exports), the United Arab Emirates (10.8%), and Saudi Arabia (10.1%) together accounted for 45.1% of total flows, while the remaining 54.9% was distributed among numerous smaller markets.

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

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

Imports wood charcoal to Nigeria

Imports in kind, t

There were noticeable fluctuations in import volumes during this period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2019, with a 7.9-fold difference. In 2020, Nigeria imported 503 tonnes of wood charcoal, an 87.4% decrease year-over-year. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 503 tonnes, with the largest increase occurring that year at 79.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports in volume terms were heavily concentrated on China, which accounted for 91.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The import market in value terms showed signs of volatility. Imports were at their lowest in 2020 and highest in 2018, reflecting a 5.9-fold gap. In 2020, imported wood charcoal volumes in Nigeria amounted to 69 thousand US dollars, a significant reduction of 23.1% compared to the prior year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 405 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline in 2019 at 77.9% and the largest increase in 2018 at 199.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China was the dominant market for imports in value terms, taking 79.7% of total flows, while other countries accounted for the remaining share.

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

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