Wood fuel market in Bolivia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the wood fuel market in Bolivia experienced consistent growth, with the market volume rising from 2 477 thousand m³ to 2 517 thousand m³. This upward trend was supported by the moderate expansion of the industrial sector, which increased demand for wood fuel in domestic and industrial energy applications, as noted in 2020. Wood fuel's significance is underscored by its share of approximately 70% of the country's total timber production.

The market stabilized at 2 515 thousand m³ in 2022, despite Bolivia's economic growth of 3.48% that year, which typically boosts energy demand. Global factors, such as the natural gas production crisis, may have further highlighted wood fuel as an alternative energy source. By 2023, the market volume resumed its growth, reaching 2 523 thousand m³.

Production wood fuel in Bolivia

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Top producers of wood fuel, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood fuel, 2017-2020

Bolivia's wood fuel production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 2,504 thousand cubic meters of wood fuel, showing minimal change compared to the previous year.

Annual dynamics of production in Bolivia in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Exports wood fuel from Bolivia

Exports in kind, m³

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 4 cubic meters, while the highest occurred in 2018 at 1,779 cubic meters, representing a peak-to-trough ratio of 406 times. In 2020, Bolivia exported 13 cubic meters of wood fuel, reflecting a steep increase of 188.4% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 99.8%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Chile and the United States remained the key partner countries for exports in kind, with a combined share of 90.2% of total flows, while other partners accounted for the remainder.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Bolivia's wood fuel exports have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 849.7 thousand US dollars worth of wood fuel, corresponding to an improvement of 30.7% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 31.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 9.5%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 582.0 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 10.1%.

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

In 2017–2020, the country structure of exports in value terms was strongly concentrated on the United States and Chile, which together accounted for 95.9% of total flows, with other partners forming a residual portion.

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

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

Imports wood fuel to Bolivia

Imports in kind, m³

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 0.0 cubic meters, while the peak occurred in 2018 at 78 cubic meters, representing a difference of 7,199 times. In 2020, Bolivia imported 31 cubic meters of wood fuel, amounting to an abrupt improvement of 286,014.3% compared with 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 100.0%.

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

In 2017–2020, the leading destinations for imports in kind of wood fuel to Bolivia were Peru (29.4% of imports in kind), Brazil (23.6% of imports in kind), and the United States (20.3% of imports in kind), which jointly accounted for 73.3% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. The lowest import value was recorded in 2019 at 25.1 thousand US dollars, while the peak occurred in 2020 at 105.4 thousand US dollars, representing a gap of 4.2 times. In 2020, cross-border shipments of wood fuel to Bolivia totaled 105.4 thousand US dollars, up by 320.1% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 73.2%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, the United States (47.0% of imports in value terms), Chile (21.4% of imports in value terms), and France (12.7% of imports in value terms) formed the core group of markets for imports in value terms, together representing 81.0% of total flows.

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

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