Wood fuel market in Mozambique

Earlier Report Observations

The wood fuel market in Mozambique demonstrated consistent stability from 2018 to 2023, with annual production and market volume holding steady at 16.7 thousand m³. This steadiness followed a significant regulatory tightening in 2018, which saw a near 272% surge in licensed firewood volumes, formalizing the market under the maintained Decree 30/2012 and Diploma 293/2012. Concurrent government policies promoting sustainable forest management and community participation in protected supply areas helped regulate extraction and maintain a stable supply base.

Underlying demand for wood fuel remained robust, particularly in traditional segments like commercial bakeries. A study identified 30 bakeries in Maputo and Marracuene situated near a natural gas pipeline yet still reliant on firewood or electricity, highlighting persistent barriers to fuel switching. These challenges, including low awareness of cleaner energy, limited access to credit, and insufficient public investment for transition, slowed the adoption of alternatives and sustained wood fuel consumption.

In the following years, national strategies continued to focus on the sustainable management of forest products, including firewood, emphasizing environmental protection and community development. By 2022, growing awareness of environmental impacts and the need for energy alternatives began to influence discourse, yet the fundamental market volume remained unchanged, reflecting the entrenched role of wood fuel within Mozambique's energy landscape.

Production wood fuel in Mozambique

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

From 2017 to 2020, Mozambique ranked 24th globally in wood fuel production.

Top producers of wood fuel, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood fuel, 2017-2020

In 2020, Mozambique produced 16 724 thousand cubic meters of wood fuel, showing virtually no change compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 0.0%, while the largest increase was also recorded in 2018, at 0.0%.

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

Exports wood fuel from Mozambique

Exports in kind, m³

The market displayed significant volatility during this period. The highest export volume was registered in 2017, while the lowest occurred in 2019, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 1 418 313 times. In 2020, Mozambique exported 2 cubic meters of wood fuel, marking a dramatic increase of 6 166.7% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 0.0 cubic meters, and the largest decline was in 2018, at 100.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Japan accounted for nearly all of Mozambique's wood fuel exports in kind, with a share of 99.8% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Exports peaked in 2017 and bottomed in 2019, with a 341 181-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Mozambique exported 1 thousand US dollars worth of wood fuel, showing a sharp rise of 12 918.2% year-over-year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 0.0 thousand US dollars, and the largest decline occurred in 2019, at 99.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Japan and Sweden clearly led the country ranking for exports in value terms, with their combined share reaching 99.6% of total flows.

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

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

Imports wood fuel to Mozambique

Imports in kind, m³

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. The highest import volume was reached in 2019, while the lowest occurred in 2018, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 4 times. In 2020, Mozambique imported 344 cubic meters of wood fuel, down by 8.5% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 94 cubic meters, and the maximum value was in 2019 at 376 cubic meters. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, at 299.2%.

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

In 2017–2020, the market structure was highly concentrated, with South Africa alone responsible for 92.2% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Imports hit their maximum in 2019, falling to the lowest point in 2018—a swing of 2.1 times. In 2020, wood fuel deliveries to Mozambique amounted to 73 thousand US dollars, indicating a strong fall of 11.8% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 39 thousand US dollars, and the maximum value was in 2019 at 83 thousand US dollars. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, at 111.5%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, South Africa was the main supplier of wood fuel to Mozambique, taking 89.5% of total imports in value terms, while other partners had relatively modest shares.

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

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