Wood charcoal market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

The Spanish wood charcoal market expanded significantly from 2018 to 2023, with market value more than doubling from $23.6 million to $48.5 million. This growth was primarily driven by shifting consumer preferences from firewood to charcoal for barbecuing, alongside increasing demand for sustainable products. Regulatory support for biomass as a renewable fuel, such as the Royal Decree 376/2022 establishing sustainability criteria for biofuels, further bolstered the market.

The market experienced a temporary contraction in 2020 due to COVID-19 supply chain disruptions and reduced demand. Recovery began in 2021, accelerated by new product launches for barbecuing and major investments in production capacity, including the construction of one of the world's largest charcoal plants by Royal Oak Charcoal in early 2022.

From 2022 onward, the trend towards eco-friendly charcoal strengthened, supported by Spain's growing organic sector and upcoming packaging and labeling regulations set for 2025-2026. The expansion of the EU emissions trading system and rules for free allocation of emission allowances also shaped the market's evolution towards greater sustainability.

Production wood charcoal in Spain

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Wood charcoal production in Spain increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 31 357 thousand US dollars, marking a notable gain of 12.1% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, production rose by 108.5%, which equates to an annualized growth rate of 27.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Spain in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

Spain's wood charcoal production volume increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, 81 065 tonnes were produced, representing a robust advance of 14.4% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 92.1%, translating to an annualized rate of 24.3%.

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

Exports wood charcoal from Spain

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during these years. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 2.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Spain exported 51 760 tonnes of wood charcoal, which is 15.6% more than in 2019. The maximum volume was recorded in 2018 at 75 281 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 40.5%, while the largest increase was in 2018, surging by 109.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom (26.7% of exports in kind), France (23.0%), and Germany (14.2%) were the primary buyers of wood charcoal from Spain. Together, they accounted for 64.0% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Spain exported 23 046 thousand US dollars worth of wood charcoal, indicating an advance of 38.0% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 46.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 13.6%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, falling by 8.8%.

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

Over the period 2017–2020, the United Kingdom (24.2% of exports in value terms), France (18.2%), and Germany (13.9%) made the biggest contribution to Spain's wood charcoal exports by value. Their combined share reached 56.4% of total flows.

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

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

Imports wood charcoal to Spain

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year gain, imported wood charcoal volumes in Spain declined. In 2020, Spain imported 41 202 tonnes, marking a strong decrease of 20.2% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 15.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.8%. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 51 625 tonnes, and the largest increase occurred in 2019, rising by 28.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, three principal markets—Cuba, Paraguay, and Portugal—together accounted for 70.9% of total wood charcoal imports in kind to Spain.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year rise, wood charcoal imports to Spain from abroad declined. In 2020, import volume reached 20 524 thousand US dollars, equivalent to a significant fall of 10.2% from a year earlier. Over the period 2017-2020, imports increased by 23.6%, with a CAGR of 7.3%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 22 851 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase was in 2019, up by 19.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Cuba (36.4% of imports in value terms), Paraguay (13.6%), and Indonesia (11.8%) led the ranking of suppliers of wood charcoal to Spain. Their combined share reached 61.8% of total imports in value terms.

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

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