Wood charcoal market in Southern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The wood charcoal market in Southern Africa contracted significantly from 653 thousand tons in 2018 to 415 thousand tons in 2020. A severe three-year drought in the Cape Town region strained forestry resources, while strict regulations on production due to fire risks, enforced from 2019, constrained industry operations. Although new FSC-compliant production facilities were launched in the Western Cape in 2020, they could not immediately offset these pressures.

Recovery began in 2021, with market volume rising to 440 thousand tons as research into wood-derived charcoal briquettes opened new industrial applications, such as purification processes. Growth continued through 2023, reaching 492 thousand tons, supported by initiatives that cleared invasive wattle trees and used the wood for charcoal production, simultaneously addressing ecological concerns and boosting supply.

The market's evolution has been shaped by a strong shift toward sustainability. Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification became a key market-access requirement, while new carbon-neutral production facilities entered the scene in 2024. Consumer preference for certified charcoal and the emergence of biochar and activated carbon segments further diversified the industry's landscape.

Production wood charcoal in Southern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

Wood charcoal production in Southern Africa has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 562.8 K t of wood charcoal, marking an 18.7% year-over-year decrease. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 8.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.8%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 716.3 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 16.7%.

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

Exports wood charcoal from Southern Africa

Exports in kind, K t

Cross-border shipments of wood charcoal from Southern Africa have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported 154.1 K t of wood charcoal, representing a 23.5% rise compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 57.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 16.4%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 79.6 K t, which also experienced the largest decline of 18.5%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019, with a jump of 56.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, wood charcoal from Southern Africa was exported to numerous markets, with even the top destinations—the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Poland—accounting for just 38.4% of total exports in volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Southern Africa's wood charcoal export value has risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region exported 65 723 K $ US of wood charcoal, which is 10.0% higher than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 57.4%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 16.3%.

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

During 2017–2020, the United Kingdom (31.1% of exports by value), the Netherlands (14.1%), and Belgium (6.3%) remained the primary buyers of wood charcoal from Southern Africa, collectively making up 51.6% of total export value.

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

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

Imports wood charcoal to Southern Africa

Imports in kind, K t

The market showed an unstable trend over the period. Import levels fluctuated significantly, with a 2.7-fold difference between the peak in 2019 and the low in 2020. In 2020, Southern Africa imported 6.2 K t of wood charcoal, a 62.6% decrease from 2019. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 16.5 K t, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, surging by 118.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources for imports in volume were Special Categories (5.4% of imports), Zimbabwe (2.6%), and China (2.4%), together comprising 10.5% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, cross-border shipments of wood charcoal to Southern Africa declined. In 2020, the region imported 14 049 K $ US of wood charcoal, a drop of 19.5% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 20.8%, corresponding to an annualized rate of 6.5%. The peak import value was in 2019 at 17 459 K $ US, with the largest increase of 29.2% recorded in 2018.

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

Over 2017–2020, imports of wood charcoal to Southern Africa in value terms were not highly concentrated: China (17.3% of imports by value), Special Categories (4.5%), and Zimbabwe (2.5%) together accounted for only 24.3% of total flows.

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

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