Market research

Wood charcoal market in Uganda

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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Earlier Report Observations

Uganda's wood charcoal market volume rose from 1 146 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 1 300 thousand tonnes in 2023, driven by persistent high demand for cooking fuel from households and informal vendors. Over 90% of Ugandan homes relied on charcoal, and biomass energy demand grew an estimated 4.2% annually, supporting continuous production expansion despite inefficient traditional kilns with low wood-to-charcoal conversion rates.

Government bans on charcoal burning in northern regions, such as the 2020 executive order to protect shea trees, were poorly enforced due to corruption and a strong informal economy. This, combined with cultural preference for charcoal over briquettes and limited access to clean energy, allowed the market to keep growing, with imports appearing in 2023 to supplement supply.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Uganda
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Uganda in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in Uganda in value, 2018-2023, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Uganda in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Uganda by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Uganda in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Uganda by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Uganda, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Uganda by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Uganda in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Uganda by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Uganda in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Uganda by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Uganda, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Uganda by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Uganda in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Uganda by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Uganda in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Uganda by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Uganda, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Uganda by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Uganda in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Uganda by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Uganda in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Uganda by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Uganda, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Uganda by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production wood charcoal in Uganda

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

On a global scale, Uganda ranked as the 15th largest producer of wood charcoal between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Uganda's wood charcoal production increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 1 202 thousand tonnes of wood charcoal, marking a slight increase of 2.4% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 7.5%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 2.4%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	2.4%	2.4%	2.4%	2.4%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports wood charcoal from Uganda

Exports in kind, kg

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 238-fold difference between these years. In 2020, wood charcoal deliveries from Uganda amounted to 792 kilograms, representing a dramatic year-on-year reduction of 84.2%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 19 755 kilograms, with the largest increase also occurring in 2018 at 23 701.2%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	23 701.2%	(74.7%)	(84.2%)	112.1%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, nearly all of Uganda's wood charcoal exports in kind were directed to Kenya, which accounted for 96.6% of the total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, $ US

The market displayed signs of volatility during the observed period. Exports hit their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 194-fold difference. In 2020, foreign wood charcoal supplies from Uganda totaled 1 741 US dollars, showing a sharp improvement of 56.4% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 11 853 US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 90.6%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 19 296.2%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	19 296.2%	(90.6%)	56.4%	205.4%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Kenya and the Democratic Republic of the Congo played key roles in Uganda's wood charcoal exports in value terms, together accounting for 99.7% of the total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports wood charcoal to Uganda

Imports in kind, kg

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. The lowest volume was registered in 2017, while the highest occurred in 2018, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 12.1 times. In 2020, imported wood charcoal volumes in Uganda stood at 22 473 kilograms, which is 24.7% lower year-on-year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 38 327 kilograms, with the largest increase also in 2018 at 1 112.3%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	1 112.3%	(22.1%)	(24.7%)	92.3%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (52.1% of imports in kind), South Africa (16.9% of imports in kind), and South Sudan (13.8% of imports in kind) were the main markets for Uganda's wood charcoal imports in kind, together accounting for 82.8% of the total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports fell to their lowest point in 2017 and reached their maximum in 2018, with a fluctuation of 5.1 times. In 2020, wood charcoal deliveries to Uganda amounted to 4 793 US dollars, reflecting a sharp year-on-year decrease of 51.9%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 17 945 US dollars, with the largest increase also in 2018 at 414.2%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	414.2%	(44.4%)	(51.9%)	11.2%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom (45.8% of imports in value terms), South Africa (29.6% of imports in value terms), and the United Arab Emirates (8.2% of imports in value terms) continued to be the main suppliers of wood charcoal to Uganda, jointly forming 83.6% of total imports in value terms.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io