Wood fuel market in Dominican Republic

Earlier Report Observations

The wood fuel market in the Dominican Republic experienced steady growth from 2018 to 2023, with market volume expanding from 970 thousand cubic meters to 1,013 thousand cubic meters. The promulgation of Law 249-17 in 2018 modernized securities market regulation, improving access to financing for companies in the energy sector. This was followed by an increase in securities issuances by state-owned and private energy companies in 2019, creating favorable investment conditions that likely supported production and supply chains for wood fuel.

Market growth continued through the early 2020s, with volume reaching 995 thousand cubic meters in 2021 and 1,007 thousand cubic meters in 2022 before stabilizing at 1,013 thousand cubic meters in 2023. This gradual upward trend reflected sustained demand, particularly in rural households where wood fuel remains the second-largest energy source for cooking and water heating, accounting for a significant share of domestic energy use.

The market is characterized by a high degree of informality and limited direct regulation. Factors such as programs installing improved Lorena stoves in rural communities aim to reduce wood consumption, while ongoing government price-setting for fossil fuels like LPG and petroleum can indirectly influence demand for wood fuel as an alternative. Broader economic growth in the country also supports overall energy consumption, though wood fuel primarily serves specific rural and lower-income segments.

Production wood fuel in Dominican Republic

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 the Dominican Republic increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 979.7 thousand cubic meters of wood fuel, representing a 0.6% increase compared to the previous year.

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

Exports wood fuel from Dominican Republic

Exports in kind, m³

The market showed significant volatility during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2020 at 539 cubic meters, marking an 81.4% year-over-year decline. The peak was recorded in 2019 with 2,900 cubic meters, representing a 151.4% increase from the previous year. This created a 5.4-fold difference between the maximum in 2019 and the minimum in 2020.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the primary destination for wood fuel exports from the Dominican Republic, accounting for 79.4% of total export volumes. The remaining share was distributed among several smaller markets.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance exhibited noticeable fluctuations during this period. Export values peaked in 2019 at 2,235 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 729.8% increase from the previous year. In 2020, exports dropped sharply to 145 thousand US dollars, a 93.5% year-over-year decline. This resulted in a 15-fold difference between the maximum in 2019 and the minimum in 2020.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, wood fuel exports from the Dominican Republic were primarily shipped to the United States, which accounted for 90.6% of total export value.

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

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

Imports wood fuel to Dominican Republic

Imports in kind, m³

Wood fuel imports to the Dominican Republic declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volume reached 1,734 cubic meters, marking a 10.8% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 48.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -19.9%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 3,459 cubic meters, representing a 2.4% increase from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 43.8% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain (28.2% of import volume), China (27.7%), and Costa Rica (20.8%) were the main suppliers of wood fuel to the Dominican Republic, together accounting for 76.8% of total imports in volume terms.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Wood fuel imports to the Dominican Republic increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 2,447 thousand US dollars, representing a 37.8% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 210.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 45.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China (49.6% of import value), the Netherlands (16.6%), and the United States (11.5%) formed the main cluster of markets for wood fuel imports to the Dominican Republic, collectively accounting for 77.8% of total import value.

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

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