Wood fuel market in Colombia

Earlier Report Observations

Colombia's wood fuel market volume entered a period of gradual contraction from 2018, influenced by the ongoing National Plan for Substitution of Firewood. This policy, targeting the reduction of firewood use for domestic cooking in favor of cleaner fuels like gas, directly pressured consumption levels over the period.

Market volume saw a temporary dip in 2020, coinciding with the broader disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic on energy demand. The downward trend resumed afterwards, with volume falling to 5.8 million m³ by 2023, consistent with sustained governmental efforts to shift households away from traditional biomass.

Despite the declining physical volume, the market's value rose sharply to USD 2.3 billion in 2023. This increase coincided with periods of high international energy prices and the implementation of stricter regulations on fuel storage, transport, and quality, which likely contributed to higher costs within the supply chain.

Production wood fuel in Colombia

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Top producers of wood fuel, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood fuel, 2017-2020

In 2020, Colombia produced 6 207 K m³ of wood fuel, marking a 3.2% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 12.1%, which translates to an average annual decline of 4.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 6 090 K m³, with the largest drop occurring that same year at 13.7%. In contrast, 2019 saw the biggest increase in production, rising by 5.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of wood fuel output in Colombia was 2 034 M $ US, down 10.8% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 5.1%, averaging a 1.7% annual decline. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 2 281 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 10.9%.

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

Exports wood fuel from Colombia

Exports in kind, m³

In 2020, Colombia's wood fuel exports reached 18 318 m³, a 13.0% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 23.3%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.2%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 7.2%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 17.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Israel, Lebanon, and the United States were the primary destinations for Colombia's wood fuel exports in kind. Israel accounted for 39.5% of exports, Lebanon for 22.0%, and the United States for 15.0%, together making up 76.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Colombia's wood fuel exports were valued at 6 003 K $ US, up 4.1% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 33.1%, with a CAGR of 10.0%. The largest decline was in 2019 at 2.1%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2018 at 30.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Israel, Lebanon, and the United States were the main buyers of Colombian wood fuel in value terms. Israel represented 39.9% of exports, Lebanon 24.5%, and the United States 13.1%, collectively accounting for 77.5% of total export value.

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

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

Imports wood fuel to Colombia

Imports in kind, m³

During the period, imports of wood fuel to Colombia showed significant fluctuations. In 2020, imports totaled 250 m³, down 16.6% from the previous year. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 496 m³, while the lowest was in 2020. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 79.9%, and the biggest increase was in 2018 at 287.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Venezuela, the United States, and Germany were the main sources of wood fuel imports to Colombia in kind. Venezuela accounted for 48.6% of imports, the United States for 28.0%, and Germany for 9.4%, together representing 86.0% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Imports of wood fuel to Colombia experienced notable fluctuations in value during this period. In 2020, imports amounted to 166 K $ US, a 24.8% decrease from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 310 K $ US, while the lowest was in 2017. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 28.8%, and the biggest increase was in 2018 at 117.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, China, and Germany were the key markets for Colombia's wood fuel imports in value terms. The United States accounted for 45.3% of imports, China for 16.6%, and Germany for 12.4%, together making up 74.3% of total import flows.

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

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