Wood charcoal market in Pakistan

Earlier Report Observations

The production of wood charcoal in Pakistan increased steadily from 86 990 t in 2018 to 96 006 t in 2023, driven by consistent demand from residential, commercial, and industrial applications. This demand was particularly bolstered by the growing popularity of barbecues and the search for efficient energy fuels, which supported market expansion throughout the period.

Government policies introduced in 2021, including licensing requirements for producers and restrictions on raw wood exports, aimed to regulate the market and promote sustainable practices. These measures contributed to a higher market concentration, as reflected by the rising HHI index, but did not impede production growth, which continued annually.

Despite challenges such as deforestation and competition from alternative energy sources, the wood charcoal market maintained its upward trajectory, with imports declining significantly from 610 t in 2018 to 193 t in 2023, indicating a growing reliance on domestic production to meet demand.

Production wood charcoal in Pakistan

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

Pakistan's wood charcoal production has grown for three consecutive years. In 2020, the country produced 90,515 tonnes of wood charcoal, representing a 2.0% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 6.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.0%.

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

Exports wood charcoal from Pakistan

Exports in kind, t

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

From 2017 to 2020, Pakistan's wood charcoal exports were almost exclusively directed to Afghanistan, which accounted for 100.0% of total export volumes.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Afghanistan was the sole destination for Pakistan's wood charcoal exports in value terms, capturing 100.0% of the total export value.

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

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

Imports wood charcoal to Pakistan

Imports in kind, t

Pakistan's wood charcoal imports have declined for two consecutive years. In 2020, the country imported 206.6 tonnes, marking a sharp year-over-year decrease of 59.7%. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 56%, with an average annual decline of 23.9%. The peak import volume was recorded in 2018 at 610.0 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 30.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam and China together supplied 81.7% of Pakistan's wood charcoal imports by volume, while other countries contributed smaller, more varied shares.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Pakistan's wood charcoal imports have decreased for three consecutive years. In 2020, imports totaled $150,900, reflecting a 53.4% drop from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value declined by 72.8%, equivalent to an average annual decrease of 35.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam, China, and Italy were the main suppliers of wood charcoal to Pakistan in value terms, accounting for 50.5%, 21.1%, and 19.4% of imports, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 91.0% of total import value.

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

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