Wood fuel market in Cambodia

Earlier Report Observations

The wood fuel market in Cambodia experienced a gradual contraction from 2018 to 2023, with production falling from 7 368 thousand m³ to 6 770 thousand m³. This decline was primarily driven by regulatory steps toward sustainable forest management, starting with the draft Production Forest Strategic Plan in 2018, which introduced traceability requirements and registration for wood fuel collectors. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further disrupted supply chains and labor availability, exacerbating the downward trend.

Market dynamics were also shaped by the dominant position of state-owned Kampuchea Tela in fuel distribution and the launch of the UNDP-Geres 'KjuonGo' digital traceability platform in 2019. This pilot project, later expanded, established labeling and QR-code packaging standards, formalizing the wood fuel value chain. Concurrently, exports of wood fuel began rising notably from 2020 onward, reaching 59 thousand m³ in 2023, reflecting shifts in trade patterns.

Underlying the contraction was a broader energy transition, highlighted by Cambodia's Power Development Plan (2022-2040) that prioritizes renewable electricity generation. This policy shift, along with increasing hydropower and solar capacity, reduced household reliance on wood fuel, particularly in urban areas where electric cooking appliances gained preference. By 2023, mandatory certification for sustainable wood fuel producers reinforced the market's structural move toward regulated and traceable supply.

Production wood fuel in Cambodia

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Top producers of wood fuel, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood fuel, 2017-2020

Cambodia's wood fuel production has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 7 117 thousand cubic meters of wood fuel, representing a 1.7% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 5.1%, with an average annual decline of 1.7%.

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

Exports wood fuel from Cambodia

Exports in kind, m³

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Cambodia's wood fuel exports experienced significant fluctuations, with the lowest volume recorded in 2018 at 46 cubic meters, followed by a sharp increase to 13 992 cubic meters in 2020—a staggering 2,820.0% rise over the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 72.1%. Overall, export levels varied dramatically, with a 305-fold difference between the high in 2020 and the low in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Cambodia's wood fuel exports were primarily directed towards Thailand, which accounted for 94.3% of total export volumes.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market displayed signs of volatility during the observed period. Exports in value terms reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 7.8-fold increase between these years. In 2020, wood fuel shipments from Cambodia abroad totaled 402 thousand US dollars, up by 585.3% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, falling by 17.8%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Thailand dominated Cambodia's wood fuel export structure in value terms, holding a 70.9% share of total flows, while other markets had relatively modest contributions.

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

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

Imports wood fuel to Cambodia

Imports in kind, m³

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Imports in kind peaked in 2018 at 16 301 cubic meters, then fell to their lowest point in 2020 at 2 288 cubic meters—a fluctuation of 7.1 times. In 2020, imported wood fuel volumes in Cambodia decreased by 71.1% year-over-year. The largest increase was recorded in 2018, rising by 34.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States (43.3% of imports in kind), China (32.0% of imports in kind), and Vietnam (5.0% of imports in kind) led the structure of imports in kind, together representing 80.3% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during the period. Imports in value terms reached their highest level in 2019 at 2 243 thousand US dollars, then dropped to their lowest in 2020 at 444 thousand US dollars—a 5.1-fold difference. In 2020, cross-border shipments of wood fuel to Cambodia were 80.2% smaller relative to the prior year. The largest increase occurred in 2018, rising by 68.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (38.0% of imports in value terms), China (28.9% of imports in value terms), and Vietnam (15.0% of imports in value terms) stood out as the main markets for imports in value terms, collectively accounting for 81.9% of total flows.

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

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