Wood charcoal market in Saudi Arabia

Earlier Report Observations

The wood charcoal market in Saudi Arabia opened the period at 215 thousand tonnes in 2018. That year, state encouragement for charcoal factory projects under Vision 2030, along with the adoption of clean carbonization technologies and the entry of new players producing briquetted charcoal from palm and wood waste, supported a steady increase in domestic production. However, total market volume contracted over the next two years, falling to 202 thousand tonnes in 2019 and further to 194 thousand tonnes in 2020.

A reversal began in 2021 as market volume expanded to 208 thousand tonnes. This upturn was driven by growing consumer awareness of how charcoal quality affects flavor, which boosted domestic demand, and the arrival of new premium segments such as high‑quality Indonesian coconut charcoal for grilling and upscale restaurants. Growth accelerated sharply in 2022, with the market reaching 241 thousand tonnes. This surge was underpinned by the development of an environmentally sustainable production system, including cabinet approval of a plan to upgrade charcoal kilns and measures to bring factories into environmental compliance, which facilitated export approvals and encouraged further investment. The market then stabilized near 239 thousand tonnes in 2023, a year that saw continued demand for long‑burning, low‑smoke charcoal varieties like coconut and orange charcoal, alongside regulatory improvements that enabled higher export volumes.

Production wood charcoal in Saudi Arabia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

Saudi Arabia's wood charcoal production increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 51,711 tonnes of wood charcoal, marking a 2.2% rise compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 6.7%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Saudi Arabia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports wood charcoal from Saudi Arabia

Exports in kind, K t

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Saudi Arabia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

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

Exports in value, K $ US

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

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia's wood charcoal exports in value terms were almost entirely directed to the United Arab Emirates, which accounted for 100.0% of total export flows during this period.

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

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

Imports wood charcoal to Saudi Arabia

Imports in kind, K t

Saudi Arabia's wood charcoal imports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported 142.0 thousand tonnes of wood charcoal, representing a moderate decrease of 5.9% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 9.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.2%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when imports fell by 9.0%. In contrast, the highest increase was recorded in 2018, with a jump of 28.4%, reaching a peak of 165.8 thousand tonnes that year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Saudi Arabia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Nigeria were the primary sources for Saudi Arabia's wood charcoal imports in volume terms. Indonesia accounted for 56.1% of imports, Malaysia for 11.7%, and Nigeria for 8.0%. Together, these three countries represented 75.7% of total imports, making them the key suppliers during this period.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, Saudi Arabia's wood charcoal imports in value terms declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 83,033 thousand US dollars, down by 3.2% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 15.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.0%. The largest increase was recorded in 2018, at 10.4%, while the peak value occurred in 2019, reaching 85,786 thousand US dollars.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Nigeria formed the core group of partners for Saudi Arabia's wood charcoal imports in value terms. Indonesia contributed 58.7% of the import value, Malaysia 12.0%, and Nigeria 6.6%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 77.3% of total import flows during this timeframe.

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

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