Wood fuel market in Middle Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for wood fuel in Middle Africa showed consistent growth from 114.1 million cubic meters in 2018 to 121.4 million cubic meters in 2023, with annual increases ranging between 1.2% and 1.4%. This upward trend resulted in a total expansion of over 6% across the six-year period.

The year 2024 introduced several regulatory and industry shifts. The Central African Republic implemented a ban on the export of wood-energy products, including charcoal and firewood, with fines set for violators. Cameroon amended its classification of forest species through a decree in April, aiming to boost wood processing and improve sector performance. Forest certification under FSC/PAFC standards progressed in the Congo Basin, with multiple companies obtaining PAFC certification. Additionally, the International Tropical Timber Technical Association published its 2024 annual report, providing detailed figures on industrial forest area and production indicators that serve as a reference for sector planning and regulation.

Production wood fuel in Middle Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, M m³

Top producers of wood fuel, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood fuel, 2017-2020

Wood fuel production in Middle Africa has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 116.9 million cubic meters of wood fuel, representing a 1.2% increase compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 3.7%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Middle Africa in kind, 2017-2020, M m³

Exports wood fuel from Middle Africa

Exports in kind, K m³

Export volumes showed significant fluctuations during this period. The lowest point was recorded in 2019 at 0.9 thousand cubic meters, while the highest was in 2017, creating a 656-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, Middle Africa's wood fuel exports reached 1.1 thousand cubic meters, marking a 13.2% increase from 2019. The most substantial decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 96.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Middle Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Between 2017 and 2020, Vietnam and China were the primary destinations for Middle Africa's wood fuel exports in volume terms, while other markets played a smaller role.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values experienced considerable volatility. The lowest value was observed in 2019 at 302 thousand US dollars, and the highest in 2017, resulting in a 240-fold gap. In 2020, the value of wood fuel exports from Middle Africa surged to 5 341 thousand US dollars, a dramatic increase of 1 671.4% compared to 2019. The sharpest decline was in 2019, falling by 95.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam and China dominated as the main markets for Middle Africa's wood fuel exports in value terms, together accounting for 87.4% of total exports, with the remainder going to other destinations.

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

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

Imports wood fuel to Middle Africa

Imports in kind, K m³

Import volumes were volatile over the observed period. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 0.2 thousand cubic meters, and the highest in 2018 at 0.6 thousand cubic meters, showing a threefold difference. In 2020, imports rose to 0.3 thousand cubic meters, up 61.4% from 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 67.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Middle Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

During 2017–2020, Portugal, China, and the Netherlands were the key partners for Middle Africa's wood fuel imports in volume terms. Portugal accounted for 33.6% of imports, China for 11.7%, and the Netherlands for 10.4%, together making up 55.7% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Import values displayed irregular patterns, indicating market instability. The highest value was in 2018 at 680 thousand US dollars, and the lowest in 2020 at 156 thousand US dollars, representing a 4.4-fold variation. In 2020, imports decreased by 32.6% year-over-year. The most significant decline was in 2019, down 65.9%, while the largest increase was in 2018, up 189.0%.

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

Over the 2017–2020 period, Portugal, the Netherlands, and Belgium led as the top sources for Middle Africa's wood fuel imports in value terms. Portugal contributed 28.6%, the Netherlands 23.9%, and Belgium 18.2%, collectively representing 70.8% of total import value.

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

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