Wood fuel market in Morocco

Earlier Report Observations

The wood fuel market in Morocco experienced a gradual contraction from 2018 to 2023, with volume decreasing from 6 615 thousand m³ to 6 525 thousand m³. This trend was initiated by the national bois-énergie strategy launched in 2018, which aimed to sustainably manage forest resources by reducing wood fuel consumption through the distribution of improved stoves with 50% higher efficiency and by promoting alternative energy sources. The strategy was reinforced in 2020 under the Forêts du Maroc 2020-2030 roadmap, further committing to lower consumption and better forest governance.

Sharp increases in wood prices, particularly in 2021 and 2023 due to global market pressures and post-pandemic recovery, made wood fuel less affordable and contributed to dampening demand. Although the development of green construction in Morocco, supported by national emission reduction targets, raised demand for wood as a building material, this did not offset the decline in the fuel segment. The limited impact of the Ukraine war on the sector, thanks to diversified international suppliers, helped avoid supply shocks that could have altered the consumption trend.

Continuous pressure on forest resources from high annual consumption and limited reforestation progress underscored the structural challenges. The sustained implementation of the bois-énergie strategy, including the ongoing distribution of improved stoves, consistently worked to reduce wood fuel use, aligning with the observed steady market contraction over the period.

Production wood fuel in Morocco

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Top producers of wood fuel, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood fuel, 2017-2020

Wood fuel production in Morocco declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, production remained stable year-on-year at 6 575 thousand cubic meters, matching the 2019 level.

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

Exports wood fuel from Morocco

Exports in kind, m³

Market performance showed significant fluctuations during this period. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2018 at 5 857 cubic meters, which represented a 2.8% increase from the previous year. By 2020, exports had plummeted to just 25 cubic meters, marking a dramatic 97.8% decrease compared to 2019. The overall amplitude between the peak in 2018 and the trough in 2020 reached 237 times.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium and France dominated Morocco's wood fuel exports in volume terms, together accounting for 80.8% of total flows, while other markets contributed smaller shares.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values experienced notable volatility during this period. The peak occurred in 2018 with 830 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 0.5% increase from the previous year. By 2020, exports had fallen to 32 thousand US dollars, down 83.5% compared to 2019. The gap between the 2018 peak and the 2020 trough was 26-fold.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, France, and Portugal were the key partners for Morocco's wood fuel exports in value terms. Belgium accounted for 45.8% of exports, France for 28.3%, and Portugal for 6.4%, together representing 80.6% of total flows.

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

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

Imports wood fuel to Morocco

Imports in kind, m³

After increasing for two years, Morocco's wood fuel imports declined. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 4 321 cubic meters, which was a 10.9% increase from the previous year. In 2020, imports dropped to 3 177 cubic meters, down 26.5% compared to 2019. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 10.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Portugal, China, and France were the central sources for Morocco's wood fuel imports in volume terms, together accounting for 74.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Following two years of growth, Morocco's wood fuel import values declined. The peak was in 2019 at 3 230 thousand US dollars, representing a 42.8% increase from the previous year. In 2020, imports fell to 2 970 thousand US dollars, down 8.0% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 72.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 19.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, France, and Indonesia emerged as the primary markets for Morocco's wood fuel imports in value terms. China accounted for 54.1% of imports, France for 14.9%, and Indonesia for 9.8%, together representing 78.8% of total flows.

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

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