Wood charcoal market in Sudan

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, Sudan's wood charcoal market showed remarkable stability in production, which held constant at 588 thousand tons each year. Domestic market volume, calculated as production plus net trade, fluctuated only slightly within a narrow band of 581 to 586 thousand tons over the period.

These minor variations in market volume were primarily driven by changes in export levels, as imports were negligible. Exports rose from 3.5 thousand tons in 2018 to a peak of 6.9 thousand tons in 2022 before dropping sharply to 1.8 thousand tons in 2023. The corresponding market volume dipped to 581.1 thousand tons in 2022 when exports were highest and recovered to 586.2 thousand tons in 2023 as exports fell.

In 2024, exports partially recovered to 2.9 thousand tons. This year saw regulatory intervention with the Central Bank of Sudan imposing an export ban on wood charcoal, a measure designed to affect domestic availability and limit foreign sales. The state-owned Sudan Oil Corporation also plays a role in the energy sector, while government policy shifts toward economic reform and stimulating local production have framed the market's operating environment.

Production wood charcoal in Sudan

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Sudan ranked 22nd globally in wood charcoal production.

Top producers of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

In 2020, Sudan produced 588.0 thousand tonnes of wood charcoal, showing only minor fluctuations compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 0.0%, while the largest increase was also recorded in 2018 at 0.0%.

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

Exports wood charcoal from Sudan

Exports in kind, t

Sudan's wood charcoal exports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 4 442 tonnes, marking a significant rise of 15.7% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 65.2%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 18.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical pattern of exports in kind was dominated by Saudi Arabia, which accounted for 72.0% of total flows, while other partners held relatively minor shares.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 3.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Sudan exported 1 484 thousand US dollars of wood charcoal, representing a steep fall of 32.5% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 2 199 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 105.2%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Saudi Arabia and Jordan were the core markets for exports in value terms, jointly accounting for 83.8% of total flows, whereas other destinations had comparatively modest shares.

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

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

Imports wood charcoal to Sudan

Imports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports hit their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, showing a 34-fold fluctuation. In 2020, Sudan imported 27 tonnes of wood charcoal, a steep uptick of 62.5% from 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 1 tonne, with the largest decline in 2018 at 96.6% and the largest increase in 2019 at 1 972.1%.

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

Over 2017–2020, China (50.0% of imports in kind), India (13.9% of imports in kind), and the United Arab Emirates (6.7% of imports in kind) were the main suppliers of wood charcoal to Sudan, together comprising 70.6% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with an 83-fold gap. In 2020, Sudan's wood charcoal import volume came to 113 thousand US dollars, which is 157.1% higher than in 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 1 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline in 2018 at 92.1% and the largest increase in 2019 at 3 144.7%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, China concentrated 85.4% of total imports in value terms, while the rest of the volume was shared by many countries with smaller individual shares.

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

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