Wood charcoal market in Western Africa

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the wood charcoal market in Western Africa demonstrated stability, with market volume holding around 11.1 million tonnes in 2018 and 2019 before rising to 11.4 million tonnes in 2020. The increase in 2020 was underpinned by steady demand linked to the traditional use of charcoal for cooking and heating.

The market continued its expansion in the following years, reaching 12.3 million tonnes by 2022. This growth aligned with a global focus on sustainable production methods and was influenced by rising energy prices, which likely encouraged the use of wood charcoal as an alternative fuel source. The market volume then saw a slight contraction to 12.2 million tonnes in 2023.

Production wood charcoal in Western Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

In 2020, Western Africa produced 11,448 thousand tonnes of wood charcoal, marking a 2.9% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 4.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.5%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 0.5%.

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

Exports wood charcoal from Western Africa

Exports in kind, t

The market experienced significant fluctuations during this period. Export volumes varied by 6.4 times, reaching their lowest point in 2017 and peaking in 2018. In 2020, wood charcoal exports from Western Africa totaled 5,035 tonnes, representing a sharp decline of 56.7% from the previous year. The maximum volume was recorded in 2018 at 16,680 tonnes, with the largest increase that year of 543.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Portugal, Lebanon, and China formed the core of wood charcoal exports in kind, accounting for 21.5%, 16.1%, and 14.9% of total exports, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 52.5% of all export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market displayed considerable volatility over the observed years. Export values fluctuated by 19 times, with the lowest point in 2020 and the peak in 2018. In 2020, wood charcoal exports from Western Africa amounted to 1,046 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp year-on-year decline of 38.2%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 19,843 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 91.5%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 13.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Turkey dominated wood charcoal exports in value terms, accounting for 74.7% of the total. The remaining export flows were distributed among a broad group of smaller countries.

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

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

Imports wood charcoal to Western Africa

Imports in kind, t

Market behavior was characterized by volatility during these years. Import volumes varied by 2.9 times, with the lowest point in 2017 and the peak in 2019. In 2020, Western Africa's wood charcoal imports amounted to 2,919 tonnes, showing a solid decline of 12.3% from 2019. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 3,329 tonnes, with the largest increase that year of 102.5%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, wood charcoal imports in kind were distributed across a wide range of partner countries. China, South Africa, and the United States were the top contributors, accounting for 9.9%, 7.1%, and 5.2% of imports, respectively. Together, these three countries represented just 22.2% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited noticeable fluctuations in performance during this period. Import values reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 3.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, wood charcoal imports into Western Africa were recorded at 1,729 thousand US dollars, marking a sharp reduction of 27.6% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was in 2019 at 2,389 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase that year of 95.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, China, and South Africa remained the principal suppliers of wood charcoal to Western Africa in value terms, accounting for 20.0%, 19.4%, and 10.6% of total imports, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 50.0% of all import flows.

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

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