Wood charcoal market in Western Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The wood charcoal market in Western Asia began the period at 767.5 thousand tons in 2018, a level supported by strong regional demand for affordable wood fuel, as evidenced by Egypt's significant consumption within the Middle East and Africa. Market volume then entered a downward phase, declining to 713.7 thousand tons in 2019, 680.1 thousand tons in 2020, and a low of 674.2 thousand tons in 2021.

A pronounced recovery followed in 2022, with volume surging by 13.4% to 764.3 thousand tons, nearly matching the 2018 starting point. The market stabilized in 2023 at 761.3 thousand tons, a marginal decrease of 0.4% from the previous year.

Structural changes continued to shape the landscape, with Egypt maintaining its dominant position in the regional wood fuel market and the emergence of new major players in the wood charcoal segment by 2024, indicating ongoing evolution in supply and competition.

Production wood charcoal in Western Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

Wood charcoal production in Western Asia has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 177.4 thousand tons, marking a modest increase of 1.4% compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 8.1%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Western Asia's wood charcoal production has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 878.6 million US dollars, showing a significant uptick of 14.5% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 13.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 602.5 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 22.0%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest increase of 27.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Western Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports wood charcoal from Western Asia

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Western Asia exported 18.5 thousand tons of wood charcoal, representing a decline of 25.9% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 5.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.9%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 15.0 thousand tons, while the peak was in 2019 at 25.0 thousand tons, which also saw the largest increase of 65.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the structure of exports in kind was diversified, with no single country holding a clearly dominant position. Vietnam accounted for 2.1% of exports, Indonesia for 0.9%, and Germany for 0.9%, together making up just 3.9% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Wood charcoal shipments from Western Asia to abroad declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 18.1 million US dollars, a decrease of 7.7% from 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 31%, with an annualized growth rate of 9.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 19.7 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 42.3%.

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

The structure of exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was diversified, with no country clearly dominating. Afghanistan contributed 2.9% of exports, Germany 2.1%, and Indonesia 1.6%, together accounting for just 6.6% of total flows.

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

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

Imports wood charcoal to Western Asia

Imports in kind, K t

Western Asia's wood charcoal import volume declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region imported approximately 521.2 thousand tons, indicating a gradual loss of 7.5% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 7.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.5%. The highest import volume was in 2018 at 610.0 thousand tons, which also saw the largest increase of 8.4%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 7.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Vietnam were the main sources for wood charcoal imports to Western Asia. Indonesia accounted for 34.6% of imports in kind, Nigeria for 17.7%, and Vietnam for 7.0%, together making up 59.3% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year rise, Western Asia's wood charcoal import volume declined. In 2020, imports were recorded at 300.3 million US dollars, which is 4.7% lower year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 6.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.0%. The highest value was in 2019 at 315.1 million US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 8.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Vietnam were the primary destinations for wood charcoal imports to Western Asia in value terms. Indonesia accounted for 41.5% of imports, Nigeria for 13.1%, and Vietnam for 6.3%, together absorbing 60.9% of total imports.

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

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