Wood fuel market in ASEAN

Earlier Report Observations

The ASEAN wood fuel market saw considerable fluctuations from 2018 to 2023. Market volume fell sharply to 92.0 million m³ in 2020, a drop driven by supply chain and production disruptions stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. A strong recovery followed, with volume climbing to 119.7 million m³ in 2022 as ASEAN countries pursued energy source diversification to cut fossil fuel reliance and improve energy security.

Persistent underlying demand supported the market throughout the period, fueled by growing energy needs in rural areas, limited access to modern fuels, and enduring cultural preferences for wood-based energy. From 2021, the gradual entry of new players into the global wood pellet market introduced indirect competitive dynamics and supply chain linkages. By 2023, consumption stabilized at 119.6 million m³, reflecting balanced market conditions.

Production wood fuel in ASEAN

In kind, 2017-2020, M m³

Top producers of wood fuel, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood fuel, 2017-2020

Wood fuel production in ASEAN has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, ASEAN produced 141.9 million cubic meters of wood fuel, marking a 1.4% decrease from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 4.5%, which translates to an average annual decline of 1.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in ASEAN in kind, 2017-2020, M m³

Exports wood fuel from ASEAN

Exports in kind, K m³

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 7 816 thousand cubic meters, then surged to a peak of 49 943 thousand cubic meters in 2020, reflecting a 6.4-fold increase. This 2020 volume represented a dramatic rise of 539.0% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 64.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from ASEAN in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

From 2017 to 2020, South Korea, Japan, and China were the primary destinations for ASEAN's wood fuel exports in kind. South Korea accounted for 36.4% of exports, Japan for 34.0%, and China for 15.4%, together making up 85.8% of the total.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, wood fuel exports from ASEAN reached 2 704 million US dollars, showing a slight increase of 1.7% over the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 31.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.6%. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 29.6%, while 2019 saw no change.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, China, Japan, and South Korea remained the key markets for ASEAN's wood fuel exports in value terms. China led with 37.7% of exports, followed by Japan at 28.7%, and South Korea at 18.2%. Together, these three countries accounted for 84.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports wood fuel to ASEAN

Imports in kind, K m³

Market behavior was volatile during these years. Imports peaked in 2019 at 888 thousand cubic meters, then plummeted to 70 thousand cubic meters in 2020, a sharp drop of 92.2% and a 12.7-fold difference. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 535.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to ASEAN in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

From 2017 to 2020, Australia, South Africa, and China were the main sources for ASEAN's wood fuel imports in kind. Australia contributed 4.1% of imports, South Africa 1.2%, and China 0.9%, together representing 6.3% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports bottomed in 2017, then peaked in 2019 at 237 million US dollars, a fivefold difference. In 2020, ASEAN's wood fuel imports totaled 100 million US dollars, a decrease of 57.9% from the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2018, with a rise of 214.6%.

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

In 2017–2020, the partner landscape for imports in value terms was diverse. China and Australia each accounted for 3.5% of imports, while South Africa made up 1.7%. Together, these three countries formed only 8.7% of total flows, with the remaining 91.3% coming from many other countries.

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

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