Wood charcoal market in Papua New Guinea, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The wood charcoal market in Papua New Guinea more than doubled in size from 6 896 tons in 2018 to 14 890 tons in 2023, marked by significant annual fluctuations. These swings were primarily driven by highly volatile import volumes, which ranged from a mere 6 tons to over 7 500 tons, while domestic production grew steadily each year from 6 886 tons to 7 381 tons.

A major import surge to 1 708 tons in 2019 expanded the market to 8 689 tons, followed by a sharp drop in 2020 when lower imports reduced the volume to 7 083 tons. The market then reached 10 332 tons in 2021 with another import spike, dipped slightly in 2022, and hit a record 14 890 tons in 2023 as imports peaked at 7 513 tons.

The consistent annual growth in local production provided a stable foundation for the market, but the overall volume trajectory was decisively shaped by the unpredictable inflows of imported wood charcoal, leading to a net expansion over the six-year period.

Production wood charcoal in Papua New Guinea

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

Wood charcoal production in Papua New Guinea has increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 7 077 tonnes of wood charcoal, showing a modest 1.4% rise compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 4.2%, which translates to an average annual increase of 1.4%.

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

Exports wood charcoal from Papua New Guinea

Exports in kind, t

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Papua New Guinea in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Poland was the sole exporter of wood charcoal from Papua New Guinea, accounting for 100.0% of all shipments in kind.

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

World map of product's exports from Papua New Guinea in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, $ US

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Papua New Guinea in value, 2017-2020, $ US

During 2017–2020, the export structure in value terms was extremely concentrated, with Poland making up 100.0% of total flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Papua New Guinea in value, 2017-2020

Imports wood charcoal to Papua New Guinea

Imports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend over this period. The lowest point was in 2017, while the peak occurred in 2019, with a 281-fold difference between these years. In 2020, wood charcoal imports into Papua New Guinea amounted to 6 tonnes, a sharp 99.6% drop from 2019. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 708 tonnes, with the largest increase that year reaching 17 592.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Papua New Guinea in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, India and Australia were the primary sources for imports in kind, together representing 98.5% of total flows, while other partners accounted for the remainder.

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

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

Imports in value, $ US

Market performance saw significant fluctuations during this timeframe. The lowest point was in 2020, and the peak was in 2019, with a 2.9-fold variation. In 2020, wood charcoal imports to Papua New Guinea totaled 8 778 US dollars, a steep 65.8% decline compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 25 663 US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 81.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Australia (61.2% of imports in value terms), Colombia (18.4%), and China (13.2%) were the main markets for wood charcoal imports into Papua New Guinea, collectively making up 92.8% of total flows.

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

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