Wood fuel market in Guatemala

Earlier Report Observations

The wood fuel market in Guatemala expanded steadily from 20 902 thousand m³ in 2018 to 22 724 thousand m³ in 2023. This growth was underpinned by the National Forest Institute's (INAB) consistent authorization of forest harvesting volumes for firewood, which represented about 35% of permitted volumes in the initial years. Concurrently, the high dependence of rural households on wood for cooking—with 54% using it as their primary energy source—provided a stable base of demand.

The upward trend persisted through 2020 and 2021, supported by firewood's entrenched role as a domestic energy source. By 2022, data confirmed that firewood accounted for 61% of the country's total energy consumption. INAB's authorization for the 2023-2024 period, averaging 5.5 million m³ with 45% designated for firewood (approximately 2.49 million m³), secured a predictable supply flow to the market.

Regulatory measures further influenced the market's development. The Forest Law's prohibition on log exports, reinforced by the ongoing framework of Decree 68-86, directed more timber toward domestic consumption as firewood. This legal environment, alongside a supply structure where 84% of firewood originated from natural forests, supported the consistent growth in market volume.

Production wood fuel in Guatemala

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

From 2017 to 2020, Guatemala consistently ranked 20th globally in terms of wood fuel production volume.

Top producers of wood fuel, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood fuel, 2017-2020

Guatemala's wood fuel production has grown for three consecutive years. In 2020, the country produced 21 617 thousand cubic meters of wood fuel, marking a 1.7% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 5.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.7%.

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

Exports wood fuel from Guatemala

Exports in kind, m³

The market showed an unstable trend during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 3.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Guatemala's wood fuel exports amounted to 5 399 cubic meters, representing a sharp decline of 30.2% compared to 2019. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 7 735 cubic meters, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 at 114.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Honduras remained the overwhelmingly dominant buyer of wood fuel from Guatemala, accounting for 97.0% of total exports in volume terms.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports bottomed in 2018 and peaked in 2017, with a 4.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Guatemala exported 41.3 thousand US dollars worth of wood fuel, showing a modest increase of 3.8% compared to 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 34.9 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 78.7%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019 at 13.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States and Honduras were the dominant buyers of wood fuel from Guatemala, together accounting for 95.0% of total exports in value terms, while other partners played a less significant role.

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

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

Imports wood fuel to Guatemala

Imports in kind, m³

Guatemala's wood fuel imports have increased for three consecutive years. In 2020, imports reached 781 cubic meters, representing a 15.7% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 145.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 34.9%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Paraguay accounted for 83.7% of Guatemala's total wood fuel imports in volume terms, with the remainder distributed among many countries, each with smaller individual shares.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Guatemala's wood fuel imports have risen for three consecutive years. In 2020, the country imported 436.3 thousand US dollars worth of wood fuel, showing a substantial increase of 27.2% over the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports surged by 190.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 42.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Guatemala's import structure in value terms was heavily concentrated on Paraguay, which accounted for 72.8% of total flows, while other partners made up the remaining volume.

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

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