Wood fuel market in Kenya

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, Kenya's wood fuel market remained stable at 26,400 thousand m³ annually. During this period, the government cut import duties on energy-saving cookstoves from 25% to 10%, making them more affordable and integrated into retail chains to promote efficient wood fuel use. Meanwhile, new players entered the clean cooking market, such as KOKO Networks which launched ethanol cookers and vending machines in Nairobi in 2019, offering a cleaner alternative. However, wood fuel demand stayed high due to prevalent use in rural areas. In 2020, the market volume declined by 5.5% to 24,948 thousand m³. This drop coincided with the growing market for briquettes as affordable, sustainable alternatives supported by government production stations and private ventures, reducing reliance on traditional wood fuel. Additionally, the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority reported rising LPG consumption driven by urbanization and clean cooking initiatives.

The wood fuel market saw a slight further decrease to 24,824 thousand m³ in 2021. That year, industries in regions like Thika and Nakuru began shifting from furnace oil and gas to wood fuel and wood briquettes due to rising energy costs, which could have increased industrial demand. However, household consumption likely continued to decline as LPG demand grew by 13.9% and efficient cookstoves were promoted. From 2022 to 2023, the market experienced a modest recovery, reaching 25,190 thousand m³. This uptick occurred alongside a significant increase in cooking gas prices due to global market disruptions from the Russia-Ukraine war, currency depreciation, and tax policies, making wood fuel a more economical choice for some consumers despite government efforts like the 15 billion tree initiative and pledges to eliminate household wood fuel use. Illegal charcoal trade and persistent demand driven by poverty kept wood fuel consumption resilient.

Production wood fuel in Kenya

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Kenya was one of the world's leading producers of wood fuel from 2017 to 2020, ranking 14th globally by production volume during this period.

Top producers of wood fuel, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood fuel, 2017-2020

In 2020, Kenya produced 24 948 thousand cubic meters of wood fuel, representing a 5.5% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the four-year period from 2017 to 2020, production declined by 5.5%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 1.9%. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, at 0.0%.

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

Exports wood fuel from Kenya

Exports in kind, m³

The market showed significant fluctuations during this period. The highest export volume was recorded in 2017, while the lowest was in 2019, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 36 times. In 2020, Kenya's wood fuel exports totaled 78 cubic meters, a 69.7% increase from 2019. The minimum value of 46 cubic meters was recorded in 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 93.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates and Uganda were the dominant export partners for Kenya's wood fuel in volume terms. The UAE accounted for 43.2% of total exports, while Uganda contributed 41.0%, together making up 84.2% of the total. Other partners accounted for the remaining volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data indicates irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. Export values peaked in 2017 and reached their lowest point in 2018, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 12.6 times. In 2020, the value of wood fuel exports from Kenya was 39.8 thousand US dollars, a 131.0% increase compared to the previous year. The minimum value of 13.5 thousand US dollars was recorded in 2018. The largest decline also occurred in 2018, at 92.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, and Saudi Arabia were the principal buyers of Kenyan wood fuel in value terms. The UAE accounted for 56.1% of exports, the United States for 13.0%, and Saudi Arabia for 6.9%, together representing 76.0% of total export value.

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

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

Imports wood fuel to Kenya

Imports in kind, m³

Kenya's wood fuel imports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 228 cubic meters, a 3.5% rise compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 1 582%, with a compound annual growth rate of 156.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Uganda, Tanzania, and Germany were the top suppliers of wood fuel to Kenya in volume terms. Uganda accounted for 29.8% of imports, Tanzania for 25.4%, and Germany for 14.9%, together making up 70.0% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Kenya's wood fuel import value increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the import value was recorded at 93.9 thousand US dollars, up by 53.0% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 483.3%, equating to an average annual rate of 80.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, China, and Uganda were the largest suppliers of wood fuel to Kenya in value terms. Germany accounted for 25.3% of imports, China for 17.3%, and Uganda for 12.9%, together forming 55.5% of total import value.

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

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