Wood charcoal market in Tunisia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, wood charcoal production in Tunisia remained stable at around 204 thousand tons annually, with market volume following a similar pattern. This stability was supported by the growth of the wood and furniture sector, which saw an increase in the number of companies and employment, fostering charcoal production. Additionally, in 2020, the availability of large quantities of olive wood for heating provided a reliable raw material base for local charcoal manufacturers.

In 2021, production rose significantly to 219.7 thousand tons, and market volume reached 219.6 thousand tons, marking a noticeable expansion compared to previous years.

The market stabilized in 2022 and 2023, with production hovering around 220 thousand tons. During this period, Tunisian factories began producing compressed natural charcoal for hookahs and barbecues, diversifying the product range and supporting domestic output. Active efforts to secure export partnerships for Tunisian charcoal to Europe and Gulf countries indicated a strategic push to access international markets.

Production wood charcoal in Tunisia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

In 2020, Tunisia produced 204.0 K t of wood charcoal, with production remaining broadly stable year-over-year. 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 Tunisia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports wood charcoal from Tunisia

Exports in kind, t

Wood charcoal exports from Tunisia showed significant volatility between 2017 and 2020. Exports reached their lowest point in 2020 at 229 t, representing an 82.1% decrease from 2019. The peak occurred in 2018 at 1 647 t, marking a 190.7% increase from the previous year. Overall, exports varied by a factor of 7.2 between the high in 2018 and low in 2020.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Greece, and Italy were the primary buyers of Tunisian wood charcoal by volume. France accounted for 30.9% of exports, Greece for 18.2%, and Italy for 15.5%. Together, these three countries represented 64.6% of Tunisia's total wood charcoal exports during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Tunisia's wood charcoal export values displayed an unstable trend from 2017 to 2020. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 99.1 K $ US, which was 82.1% lower than in 2019. The peak occurred in 2018 at 617.0 K $ US, representing a 79.9% increase from the previous year. Overall, export values changed by a factor of 6.2 between the 2018 high and 2020 low.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France, Greece, and Italy remained Tunisia's key export partners by value. France accounted for 29.3% of export value, Greece for 13.6%, and Italy for 12.9%. Collectively, these three markets represented 55.7% of Tunisia's total wood charcoal export revenue during this four-year period.

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

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

Imports wood charcoal to Tunisia

Imports in kind, t

Tunisia's wood charcoal imports experienced noticeable fluctuations from 2017 to 2020. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018 at 426 t, representing a 454.3% increase from the previous year. In 2020, imports stood at 336 t, showing a modest 4.9% improvement from 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 24.8%. Overall, imports varied by a factor of 5.5 between the 2018 high and 2017 low.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China dominated Tunisia's wood charcoal imports by volume, consistently accounting for 81.8% of total imports. The remaining 18.2% was distributed among various other countries, indicating a high concentration on the Chinese market.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Tunisia's wood charcoal import values showed an unstable trend between 2017 and 2020. The lowest value was recorded in 2017, while the peak occurred in 2018 at 452.6 K $ US, representing a 216.4% increase from the previous year. In 2020, imports stood at 321.1 K $ US, which was 2.4% lower than in 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 27.3%. Overall, import values varied by a factor of 3.2 between the 2018 high and 2017 low.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, China remained Tunisia's primary source for wood charcoal imports by value, accounting for 73.9% of total import spending. The remaining 26.1% was distributed across various smaller markets.

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

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