Market research

Wood fuel market in Malawi

Release date: Mar 30, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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Earlier Report Observations

Malawi's wood fuel production showed a steady upward trajectory between 2018 and 2021, increasing from 5.9 million cubic meters to 6.1 million cubic meters. This consistent expansion indicated sustained demand for wood-based energy across the country.

The market continued to grow through 2022 and 2023, reaching 6.3 million cubic meters. In 2022, fossil fuel prices in Malawi were adjusted multiple times due to international market trends, currency devaluation, and global supply disruptions. These factors made conventional fuels more expensive, likely pushing consumers toward wood fuel as a more affordable alternative, supporting further market growth.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Malawi
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Malawi in kind, 2018-2023, K m³
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in Malawi in value, 2018-2023, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K m³
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K m³
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, m³
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Malawi in kind, 2018-2024, m³
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Malawi by countries, 2018-2024, m³
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Malawi in value, 2018-2024, $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Malawi by countries, 2018-2024, $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/m³
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Malawi, 2018-2024, $ US/m³
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Malawi by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/m³
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, m³
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Malawi in kind, 2018-2024, m³
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Malawi by countries, 2018-2024, m³
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Malawi in value, 2018-2024, $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Malawi by countries, 2018-2024, $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/m³
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Malawi, 2018-2024, $ US/m³
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Malawi by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/m³
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, m³
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Malawi in kind, 2018-2024, m³
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Malawi by countries, 2018-2024, m³
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Malawi in value, 2018-2024, $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Malawi by countries, 2018-2024, $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/m³
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Malawi, 2018-2024, $ US/m³
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Malawi by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/m³
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, m³
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Malawi in kind, 2018-2024, m³
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Malawi by countries, 2018-2024, m³
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Malawi in value, 2018-2024, $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Malawi by countries, 2018-2024, $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/m³
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Malawi, 2018-2024, $ US/m³
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Malawi by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/m³
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, m³
  2. 8.1.2. In value, $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, m³
  2. 8.2.2. In value, $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production wood fuel in Malawi

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Top producers of wood fuel, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of wood fuel, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Malawi's wood fuel production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 6,045 thousand cubic meters of wood fuel, marking a slight gain of 1.1% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production rose by 3.3%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 1.1%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	1.1%	1.1%	1.1%	1.1%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports wood fuel from Malawi

Exports in kind, m³

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import levels fluctuated significantly, with a 5,002-fold difference between the low in 2017 and the high in 2020. In 2020, Malawi exported 38.5 cubic meters of wood fuel, reflecting a sharp uptick of 347,261.1% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 99.5%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	27 560.3%	(99.5%)	347 261.1%	1 610.2%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, wood fuel exports from Malawi were largely oriented towards Mozambique, which accounted for 94.7% of total exports in kind.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. Exports peaked in 2020 and hit their lowest point in 2019, with a 1,204-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Malawi's wood fuel exports were recorded at 4,839 US dollars, showing a gain of 120,278.1% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 4 US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 98.7%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	1 100.9%	(98.7%)	120 278.1%	475.3%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, 93.5% of total wood fuel exports from Malawi in value terms were directed to Mozambique, making this market overwhelmingly dominant.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports wood fuel to Malawi

Imports in kind, m³

Malawi's wood fuel imports have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Malawi imported a total of 19.4 cubic meters of wood fuel, marking a steep drop of 56.3% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 90.1%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 53.7%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(22.8%)	(70.7%)	(56.3%)	(53.7%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Mozambique remained the leading supplier of wood fuel to Malawi, accounting for 73.2% of total imports in kind, while the rest was spread across many other countries.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, $ US

Malawi's wood fuel imports have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Malawi imported 10,871 US dollars worth of wood fuel, amounting to a drop of 39.3% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 50.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -20.8%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(3.6%)	(15.1%)	(39.3%)	(20.8%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa and Mozambique clearly dominated the partner structure for imports in value terms, while other countries together formed the remaining share.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io