Wood charcoal market in Tanzania

Earlier Report Observations

The wood charcoal market in Tanzania exhibited consistent growth in volume from 2 034 тыс. т in 2018 to 2 337 тыс. т in 2023. This expansion was primarily sustained by robust household demand, as charcoal remained the most affordable and accessible cooking fuel for the majority of the population, particularly middle- and low-income groups. Concurrently, initiatives to promote sustainable charcoal production, such as the Transforming Tanzania Charcoal Sector project, began to take shape, aiming to formalize the sector and improve livelihoods, thereby supporting legal production volumes.

Government-led efforts to formalize the charcoal business gained momentum, involving state-owned entities like the National Development Corporation and private companies. This push towards formalization helped structure the market and supported the recorded production growth. Despite increasing regulatory actions to combat illegal trade and promote cleaner cooking technologies, the high cost and limited accessibility of alternatives like liquefied petroleum gas meant consumer preference for charcoal persisted, underpinning market demand throughout the period.

Policy developments, including the issuance of National Carbon Trading Guidelines in 2022 and preparations for the National Clean Cooking Strategy in 2023, signaled a growing focus on environmental sustainability. However, their direct impact on total market volume before 2024 was minimal, as demographic growth and entrenched economic reliance on charcoal continued to drive consumption, with the sector remaining a significant source of employment and revenue.

Production wood charcoal in Tanzania

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Tanzania ranked as the world's seventh-largest producer of wood charcoal.

Top producers of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

Tanzania's wood charcoal production grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 2 151 thousand tonnes of wood charcoal, marking a slight year-over-year increase of 2.8%. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 8.7%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.8%.

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

Exports wood charcoal from Tanzania

Exports in kind, kg

The market exhibited significant volatility during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 before peaking in 2020, with a staggering 926-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Tanzania's foreign wood charcoal supplies totaled 27 790 kg, representing an extraordinary increase of 92 533.3% compared to the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Tanzania in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, Tanzania's wood charcoal exports in kind were almost entirely directed to China, which accounted for 99.6% of the total export volume.

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

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

Exports in value, $ US

Market performance showed notable fluctuations over these years. The lowest export value occurred in 2019, while the highest was recorded in 2020, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 1 394 times. In 2020, Tanzania exported wood charcoal worth 2 091 US dollars, indicating a dramatic surge of 139 316.0% compared to 2019.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, virtually all of Tanzania's wood charcoal exports in value terms were linked to China, which held a 97.8% share of the total export value.

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

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

Imports wood charcoal to Tanzania

Imports in kind, kg

Market performance displayed considerable fluctuations during this period. Imports hit their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2019, with a 38-fold variation between these years. In 2020, Tanzania imported 16 640 kg of wood charcoal, reflecting a 29.1% decline from the previous year. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2018 at 619 kg, while the maximum reached 23 464 kg in 2019. The largest year-over-year increase occurred in 2019, at 3 690.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Tanzania in kind, 2017-2020, kg

Between 2017 and 2020, China (57.3% of imports in kind), Indonesia (14.4%), and Vietnam (12.2%) consistently led Tanzania's import structure for wood charcoal in kind, collectively accounting for 84.0% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, $ US

The market demonstrated volatility over the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, showing a 3.3-fold gap. In 2020, Tanzania imported wood charcoal valued at 2 365 US dollars, which is 61.1% lower than the previous year. The maximum import value was recorded in 2019 at 6 080 US dollars, with the largest year-over-year increase also occurring in 2019, at 225.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates (29.5% of imports in value terms), South Africa (24.8%), and China (22.7%) formed the core group of markets for Tanzania's wood charcoal imports in value terms, together representing 77.0% of total import value.

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

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