Wood charcoal market in Switzerland

Earlier Report Observations

The Swiss wood charcoal market volume showed considerable variation between 2018 and 2023. Starting at 12 485 t in 2018, it fell to 11 510 t the following year before surging to 14 132 t in 2020. A subsequent contraction brought the market to 12 809 t in 2021, followed by stabilization at 12 806 t in 2022. A sharp decline occurred in 2023, with volume dropping to 8 741 t.

In 2024, imports of wood charcoal decreased to 9 802 t while exports reached 1 563 t. Several specific factors shaped the market environment. New regulations for agricultural and forestry vehicles, covering brake systems, couplings, and registration of small work vehicles, altered wood transport logistics, potentially affecting raw material distribution for charcoal production. Additionally, timber prices experienced a slight increase influenced by international tariffs and global market conditions, raising production costs for charcoal manufacturers. Swiss sawmills maintained stable roundwood output, supporting raw material availability.

Production wood charcoal in Switzerland

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

In 2020, Switzerland produced 172.0 t of wood charcoal, showing no significant change from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 29.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.9%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 172.0 t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 19.4%.

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

Exports wood charcoal from Switzerland

Exports in kind, t

The export market for wood charcoal from Switzerland exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 2.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Switzerland exported 46 t of wood charcoal, marking a 9.9% increase from the previous year. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2018 at 91 t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 135.6%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 53.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Poland, and Germany were the primary destinations for Switzerland's wood charcoal exports, accounting for 92.4% of total exports in kind. France led with 51.3%, followed by Poland at 22.3%, and Germany at 18.8%.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The export market in value terms showed irregular changes, indicating a volatile environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2017, with a 4.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, the value of wood charcoal exports from Switzerland totaled 65 K $ US, representing a 26.5% increase year-over-year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 51 K $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 76.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, France, and Poland accounted for the largest share of Switzerland's wood charcoal exports in value terms, together comprising 83.4% of total flows. Germany led with 57.2%, followed by France at 20.5%, and Poland at 5.8%.

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

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

Imports wood charcoal to Switzerland

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, wood charcoal imports into Switzerland increased in 2020. Switzerland imported a total of 14 006 t of wood charcoal in 2020, which is 23.1% more than the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 7.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.5%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 11 380 t, which also saw the largest decline of 8.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland, Germany, and Bosnia and Herzegovina were the main sources for Switzerland's wood charcoal imports in kind, together representing 58.4% of total flows. Poland accounted for 32.8%, Germany for 15.5%, and Bosnia and Herzegovina for 10.1%.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the value of wood charcoal imports into Switzerland stood at 12 445 K $ US, showing a sharp increase of 37.4% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 30%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 9.1%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 9 058 K $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 8.6%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Poland, Germany, and Namibia remained the main markets for Switzerland's wood charcoal imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 56.8% of total flows. Poland led with 29.8%, followed by Germany at 18.8%, and Namibia at 8.2%.

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

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