Wood fuel market in Madagascar

Earlier Report Observations

The wood fuel market in Madagascar experienced steady growth in volume from 14.7 million m³ in 2018 to 16.0 million m³ in 2023. This expansion was primarily sustained by strong and persistent urban demand, which placed continuous pressure on forest resources, as over 90% of households relied on biomass for energy. Despite the 2018 suspension of charcoal exports to prioritize local supply and the introduction of a national supply strategy aimed at curbing deforestation, regulatory enforcement remained weak, allowing consumption to rise.

Government and NGO initiatives, such as pilot projects for improved cookstoves launched in 2020 and the large-scale deployment of 120,000 such stoves in the Anosy region announced in 2022, sought to reduce charcoal consumption. Concurrently, the formal adoption of a national ecological charcoal standard and the creation of the Madagascar Clean Cooking Initiative in 2023 helped structure the market around more sustainable production. However, these measures could not offset the fundamental drivers of growth, including high electricity costs and limited access to alternative energy sources for the majority of the population.

Factors like rising charcoal prices due to rainfall and transport issues in 2021 underscored supply constraints while also reflecting robust domestic demand during peak consumption periods. Reforestation projects, such as the one launched in Ankazobe in 2021 and the broader AFR100 forest restoration program, were implemented to secure the long-term resource base. The market's upward trajectory throughout the period highlights the deep-rooted dependence on wood fuel within Madagascar's energy mix, even as policy efforts gradually promoted cleaner alternatives.

Production wood fuel in Madagascar

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

From 2017 to 2020, Madagascar ranked 29th globally in wood fuel production.

Top producers of wood fuel, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood fuel, 2017-2020

Madagascar's wood fuel production grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 15 210 thousand cubic meters of wood fuel, representing a year-on-year increase of 1.8%. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 5.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.8%.

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

Exports wood fuel from Madagascar

Exports in kind, m³

In 2020, Madagascar's wood fuel exports amounted to 0.48 cubic meters, showing little change from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports surged by 8 553.8%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 342.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Madagascar's wood fuel exports were entirely concentrated on France, which accounted for 100.0% of total shipments.

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

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

Exports in value, $ US

In 2020, Madagascar's wood fuel exports totaled 242 US dollars, with minimal variation compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 6 292.6%, corresponding to an average annual growth rate of 299.8%.

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

During 2017-2020, France was the nearly exclusive buyer of Madagascar's wood fuel, accounting for 100.0% of total export value.

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

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

Imports wood fuel to Madagascar

Imports in kind, m³

Wood fuel imports to Madagascar showed significant fluctuations during this period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 5.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports stood at 25.83 cubic meters, marking a sharp decline of 60.8% from the previous year. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 65.95 cubic meters, with the largest year-on-year increase of 179.3% also occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—France, China, and Italy—collectively accounted for 40.5% of Madagascar's total wood fuel imports by volume.

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

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

Imports in value, $ US

Import values for wood fuel in Madagascar experienced notable volatility. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 10 364 US dollars, while the highest occurred in 2020 at 27 659 US dollars, representing a 2.7-fold increase. The 2020 figure reflects a substantial rise of 166.9% compared to 2019. The most significant decline was in 2018, with a drop of 42.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France (56.6% of import value), China (18.9%), and the United Arab Emirates (6.1%) dominated Madagascar's wood fuel import structure, together comprising 81.6% of total import value.

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

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