Wood charcoal market in Southern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The wood charcoal market in Southern Europe experienced notable volatility from 2018 to 2020. Market volume rose by 22% to 345 thousand tons in 2019, but then fell sharply by 29% to 245 thousand tons in 2020.

After stabilizing near 244 thousand tons in 2021, the market entered a growth phase, expanding by 5% in 2022 and surging 23% to 313 thousand tons in 2023. During 2021, regional demand was underpinned by the use of charcoal in metallurgical industries and enduring barbecue traditions, which helped sustain consumption levels. The substantial increase in 2023 reflected a broader market recovery.

In 2024, government regulations focusing on water safety and policies promoting clean energy began stimulating demand for charcoal in filtration and as a sustainable fuel. The market saw the entry of new players, such as Husk Ventures SL from Spain, which initiated biochar production in Cambodia and planned expansion into Vietnam, supported by carbon credit mechanisms. These developments coincided with import volumes decreasing to 238 thousand tons and exports dropping to 69 thousand tons, signaling evolving trade flows.

Production wood charcoal in Southern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

In 2019, wood charcoal production in Southern Europe reached its peak at 201.4 thousand tonnes, marking a 12.2% increase from the previous year. However, by 2020, production had fallen sharply to 144.0 thousand tonnes, representing a dramatic year-on-year decline of 28.5%. Over the entire period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 23%, with an average annual decline rate of 8.3%.

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

Exports wood charcoal from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

In 2019, wood charcoal exports from Southern Europe hit their lowest point at 84.7 thousand tonnes, showing a significant decline of 30.1% from the previous year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 121.2 thousand tonnes, which was a substantial increase of 36.8%. By 2020, exports had recovered to 101.3 thousand tonnes, reflecting a robust gain of 19.7% compared to 2019. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 14.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, wood charcoal exports from Southern Europe were distributed across a wide range of markets. Germany accounted for 16.4% of exports in volume, France for 14.7%, and the United Kingdom for 12.8%. Together, these three countries represented only 43.9% of total export flows, indicating a broad spread of destinations.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2019, wood charcoal exports from Southern Europe in value terms experienced a decline of 3.7%. By 2020, however, exports had rebounded to 55.9 million US dollars, showing a robust rise of 22.4% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 30.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom were key buyers of wood charcoal from Southern Europe in value terms, with shares of 17.1%, 11.8%, and 10.0% respectively. However, their combined share reached only 38.8% of total export value, while the remaining 61.2% was distributed among numerous other trading partners.

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

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

Imports wood charcoal to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

In 2019, wood charcoal imports into Southern Europe reached their maximum at 228.2 thousand tonnes, following a 14.6% increase in 2018. However, after this two-year advance, imports declined in 2020 to 202.7 thousand tonnes, which is 11.2% less than in 2019. Overall, between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 3.4%, equating to an average annual rate of 1.1%.

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

Over the period 2017 to 2020, Cuba, Nigeria, and Argentina consistently held leading positions in the import structure of wood charcoal into Southern Europe by volume. Cuba accounted for 30.8% of imports, Nigeria for 16.4%, and Argentina for 6.9%. Together, these three countries represented 54.0% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2018, wood charcoal imports into Southern Europe in value terms peaked at 108.0 million US dollars, reflecting a 13.7% increase. However, imports declined for the second consecutive year, reaching 100.4 million US dollars in 2020, which was a limited decline of 5.9% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 5.8%, with an average annual rate of 1.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, no single market dominated wood charcoal imports into Southern Europe in value terms. Cuba accounted for 29.0% of imports, Nigeria for 11.6%, and Indonesia for 8.6%. Together, these three countries represented only 49.2% of total import value, with many smaller partners each holding modest individual shares.

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

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