Wood fuel market in Gabon

Earlier Report Observations

The Gabonese wood fuel market maintained a steady volume of 1 070 thousand m³ from 2018 through 2021. This stability coincided with the adoption and enforcement of the new Water and Forestry Code, which provided a comprehensive legal framework for sustainable forest management and wood processing, setting the stage for orderly market development.

Market volume expanded to 1 148 thousand m³ in 2022, driven by the first substantial imports of 78 thousand m³. The growth aligned with a 6.5% rise in the wood processing industry and the development of special economic zones, notably the Nkok zone that hosts a wood transformation cluster of 84 companies. These developments boosted industrial demand for wood fuel as an energy source.

A slight contraction to 1 122 thousand m³ occurred in 2023 as imports fell to 60 thousand m³ and exports began at 9 thousand m³. During this period, policies to valorize industrial wood waste were implemented, aiming to reduce waste and promote high-value derivatives like charcoal. Coupled with ongoing economic reforms, these measures likely influenced supply and demand patterns, leading to a modest market adjustment.

Production wood fuel in Gabon

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Top producers of wood fuel, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood fuel, 2017-2020

In 2020, Gabon produced 1 070 K m³ of wood fuel, with production levels remaining virtually unchanged compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 0.0%, while the largest increase also occurred in 2018 at 0.0%.

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

Exports wood fuel from Gabon

Exports in kind, m³

The market exhibited significant volatility during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 0.02 m³, then peaked in 2018, creating a 1 047-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Gabon exported 0.23 m³ of wood fuel, representing a substantial increase of 913.3% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 99.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China dominated Gabon's wood fuel exports in kind, accounting for 98.9% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 17 US dollars, then peaked in 2018, creating a 362-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Gabon's wood fuel exports totaled 1 488 US dollars, representing an increase of 8 616.4% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 99.7%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, China remained the central partner for Gabon's wood fuel exports in value terms, accounting for 80.4% of total flows, while other markets played a less significant role.

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

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

Imports wood fuel to Gabon

Imports in kind, m³

The market demonstrated volatility during the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 10.79 m³, then peaked in 2019 at 31.65 m³, creating a 2.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Gabon imported 20.75 m³ of wood fuel from abroad, representing a decrease of 34.4% compared to the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 193.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Lebanon (43.6% of imports in kind), Belgium (29.7% of imports in kind), and the United Arab Emirates (13.0% of imports in kind) formed the key group of partners for Gabon's wood fuel imports in kind, collectively representing 86.4% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, $ US

The market showed volatility during the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017, then peaked in 2019 at 34 469 US dollars, creating a 3.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Gabon imported wood fuel valued at the previous year's amount, representing a sharp decrease of 61.2% compared to the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 175.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium (42.9% of imports in value terms), Lebanon (20.9% of imports in value terms), and the United Arab Emirates (12.0% of imports in value terms) together accounted for 75.8% of total imports in value terms, remaining the main destinations for wood fuel imports to Gabon.

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

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