Wood fuel market in Egypt

Earlier Report Observations

The wood fuel market in Egypt experienced a gradual expansion, with volume growing from 17.8 million m³ in 2018 to 17.94 million m³ in 2023. This steady increase was primarily driven by rising demand from the construction, furniture, and interior decor sectors, a key factor noted from 2019 onward. At the same time, the implementation of economic reforms, including exchange rate liberalization as part of an IMF-backed program, elevated dollar-denominated costs for imports, placing consistent upward pressure on wood prices throughout the period.

Market dynamics were further shaped by a shift in consumer preferences toward engineered wood products like plywood and MDF boards as solid wood prices rose, a change observed in 2020. Continued fluctuations in the exchange rate and international shipping costs affected both wood availability and pricing. In 2023, Egypt's accession to the BRICS group introduced expectations for a future shift in import settlement mechanisms, which could alter cost structures for wood imports moving forward.

Production wood fuel in Egypt

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt ranked 23rd globally in wood fuel production.

Top producers of wood fuel, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood fuel, 2017-2020

Egypt's wood fuel production grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 17 893 thousand cubic meters, showing only a slight change from the 2019 level.

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

Exports wood fuel from Egypt

Exports in kind, m³

Following a two-year decline, Egypt's wood fuel exports increased in 2020, reaching 17 066 cubic meters—a 1.3% rise from 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, exports fell by 47%, with a compound annual growth rate of -19.1%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 16 841 cubic meters, which also saw the steepest drop of 29.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Israel, Sudan, and Jordan were the primary destinations for Egypt's wood fuel exports by volume, accounting for 26.5%, 22.6%, and 8.4% of total flows, respectively. Together, they represented 57.5% of all exports.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Egypt's wood fuel export value declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 5 683 thousand US dollars, a moderate decrease of 5.8% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, however, export value increased by 38%, with an 11.3% compound annual growth rate. The peak was in 2018 at 6 375 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 54.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Israel, Jordan, and Cyprus led as the top destinations for Egypt's wood fuel exports by value, with shares of 36.7%, 11.4%, and 7.7%, respectively. Combined, they made up 55.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports wood fuel to Egypt

Imports in kind, m³

After rising for two years, Egypt's wood fuel imports fell in 2020 to 3 480 cubic meters, down 17.8% from 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports grew by 36%, equivalent to a 10.8% annualized rate. The highest volume was in 2019 at 4 234 cubic meters, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 47.2%.

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

During 2017–2020, Indonesia dominated Egypt's wood fuel imports by volume, accounting for 75.0% of total flows, with other countries contributing relatively small shares.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Egypt's wood fuel import value showed significant fluctuations from 2017 to 2020, with a 1.9-fold difference between the peak and trough. In 2020, imports amounted to 1 345 thousand US dollars, a sharp decline of 14.4% from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 573 thousand US dollars, and the largest annual increase was in 2018 at 72.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Indonesia was the main source for Egypt's wood fuel imports by value, holding 71.7% of total flows, while other markets had fragmented and smaller shares.

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

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