Wood fuel market in Jamaica

Earlier Report Observations

The wood fuel market in Jamaica gradually contracted from 509 thousand cubic meters in 2018 to 483 thousand cubic meters in 2023. This decline corresponded with a household energy shift where liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) became the dominant cooking fuel for 85.8% of homes, while only 5.0% relied on wood fuel by 2019.

National energy policy, including the National Energy Policy 2009-2030 targeting 50% renewable energy by 2030 and the Integrated Resource Plan guiding the transition, prioritized alternatives such as solar, wind, and natural gas. These measures reduced reliance on traditional wood fuel, contributing to the steady decrease in market volume over the period.

Production wood fuel in Jamaica

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Top producers of wood fuel, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood fuel, 2017-2020

Jamaica's wood fuel production has declined for three consecutive years. In 2020, the country produced 498.5 thousand cubic meters of wood fuel, representing a slight decrease of 1.0% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 3.1%, with an average annual decline of 1.0%.

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

Exports wood fuel from Jamaica

Exports in kind, m³

The market exhibited significant volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 0.7 cubic meters, then peaked in 2020 at 65.8 cubic meters—a 92-fold increase between these years. In 2020, Jamaica's wood fuel export volume showed a sharp improvement of 369.8% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 96.8%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019, surging by 1 861.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Saint Lucia and the United States remained the primary destinations for Jamaica's wood fuel exports in volume terms, together accounting for 82.5% of total flows. Other trading partners each held significantly smaller shares.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market demonstrated notable volatility throughout the period. Exports bottomed out in 2018 at 0.5 thousand US dollars, then peaked in 2020 at 71.3 thousand US dollars—a 153-fold difference. In 2020, Jamaica's wood fuel exports in value terms experienced a steep rise of 485.5% year-over-year. The largest decline was in 2018, falling by 94.9%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019, jumping by 2 516.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United Kingdom led Jamaica's wood fuel exports in value terms with a 49.2% share, followed by Saint Lucia at 27.0% and the United States at 20.1%. Together, these three countries represented 96.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports wood fuel to Jamaica

Imports in kind, m³

The data indicates irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. Imports reached their lowest point in 2020 at 43.2 cubic meters, after peaking in 2017—a 4.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Jamaica's wood fuel import volume decreased by 73.3% compared to the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, rising by 37.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the market structure for wood fuel imports to Jamaica was highly concentrated, with the United States alone responsible for 96.7% of total imports in volume terms.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Imports dropped to their minimum in 2020 at 21.3 thousand US dollars, after climbing to a maximum in 2019 at 102.2 thousand US dollars—a 4.8-fold shift. In 2020, Jamaica's wood fuel imports in value terms marked a sharp decline of 79.1% versus the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2019, surging by 107.0%.

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

During 2017–2020, Jamaica's wood fuel imports in value terms were highly concentrated on the United States, which accounted for 96.8% of total flows.

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

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