Wood fuel market in Côte d'Ivoire

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the wood fuel market in Côte d'Ivoire saw a gradual expansion. This period began with the initiation of the 2019 Forest Code in 2018, which introduced new regulatory provisions for forestry, affecting the wood-energy sector's operating framework. Subsequently, the market's growth was underpinned by the country's heavy reliance on biomass for energy, which accounted for 73% of domestic consumption, as evidenced by a 17% increase in total primary energy production in 2019 compared to the previous year. These conditions supported steady demand for wood fuel.

From 2021 to 2023, the market's upward trajectory continued, influenced by specific policy and investment drivers. Development of biomass power plant projects under the National Renewable Energy Action Plan 2016-2030, aiming to generate 748 MW from biomass by 2030, signaled increased institutional demand for woody biomass. Efforts to modernize the charcoal sector progressed, aiming to boost the supply of alternatives to fossil fuels in rural areas. Furthermore, the progressive implementation of the local content law in the energy sector strengthened the role of domestic companies in the wood fuel value chain. As a result, the market volume reached 9 325 thousand m³ by 2023.

In 2024, the sector's development was marked by the introduction of wood energy price indices to improve contractual regulation between suppliers and customers, a move designed to facilitate smoother operations within the industry.

Production wood fuel in Côte d'Ivoire

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Top producers of wood fuel, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood fuel, 2017-2020

Wood fuel production in Côte d'Ivoire increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 9 259 K m³ of wood fuel, showing minimal change from the previous year.

Annual dynamics of production in Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Wood fuel production in Côte d'Ivoire declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 777 M $ US, reflecting a significant decrease of 21.2% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 20.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 7.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 270 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 22.3%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 29.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Côte d'Ivoire in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports wood fuel from Côte d'Ivoire

Exports in kind, m³

After two years of growth, Côte d'Ivoire's wood fuel exports declined in volume. In 2020, the country exported 3 473 m³ of wood fuel, marking a sharp decrease of 27.0% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, exports overall increased by 15.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.0%. The peak volume was recorded in 2019 at 4 756 m³, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 44.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020, m³

From 2017 to 2020, China, the United Arab Emirates, and Lebanon were the main destinations for Côte d'Ivoire's wood fuel exports in kind. China accounted for 35.4% of exports, the United Arab Emirates for 16.0%, and Lebanon for 13.0%, together representing 64.4% of total flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Exports peaked in 2018 and reached their lowest point in 2020, with a two-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Côte d'Ivoire's wood fuel exports totaled 291.3 K $ US, down by 42.6% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 595.2 K $ US, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 86.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, Lebanon, and Jordan were among the largest buyers of wood fuel from Côte d'Ivoire in value terms. China accounted for 19.8% of exports, Lebanon for 14.9%, and Jordan for 12.2%. However, even combined, they represented just 46.8% of total exports, indicating a broadly diversified partner base.

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

World map of product's exports from Côte d'Ivoire in value, 2017-2020

Imports wood fuel to Côte d'Ivoire

Imports in kind, m³

Wood fuel imports to Côte d'Ivoire increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported approximately 541 m³ of wood fuel, which is 32.6% higher than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports surged by 494.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 81.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020, m³

From 2017 to 2020, three principal markets—the United Arab Emirates, China, and Lebanon—together accounted for 78.5% of total wood fuel imports in kind to Côte d'Ivoire.

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

World map of product's imports to Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Côte d'Ivoire's wood fuel imports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import volume totaled 177.2 K $ US, representing a 16.7% gain compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 332.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 62.9%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, China, the United Arab Emirates, and Indonesia made the biggest contribution to imports in value terms. China accounted for 31.1% of imports, the United Arab Emirates for 28.1%, and Indonesia for 12.1%, jointly accounting for 71.3% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Côte d'Ivoire in value, 2017-2020