Wood fuel market in Polynesia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the wood fuel market in Polynesia expanded from 77 340 m³ to 79 538 m³. This growth was driven by the territory's heavy reliance on imported fossil fuels, with over 340 million liters of fuel brought in annually, which encouraged demand for wood fuel as a local alternative. A documented 11% rise in hydrocarbon imports between 2016 and 2018 further highlighted the need for energy diversification, leading to increased wood fuel imports and market growth.

After peaking in 2020, the market volume contracted to 77 030 m³ by 2023. This shift coincided with policy efforts to develop the local forestry sector, notably a 2021 draft law promoting the harvesting of Caribbean pine on private land to boost domestic wood production and reduce import dependence. Additionally, a 57% surge in global energy prices in 2022 raised the cost of imported fuels, making locally sourced wood fuel more competitive and accelerating the move toward domestic supply.

Subsequent measures continued to support the local wood industry. In 2023, the digital publication of intellectual property rights streamlined innovation, and public tenders were launched for wooden construction projects. By 2024, government aid for small businesses and a revaluation of prices in the construction sector were implemented, influencing demand for wood-based materials, including fuel.

Production wood fuel in Polynesia

In kind, 2017-2020, m³

Top producers of wood fuel, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood fuel, 2017-2020

In 2020, Polynesia produced 76 791 m³ of wood fuel, showing little change from the previous year. The most significant decline occurred in 2018, at 0.0%, while the largest increase was also recorded in 2018, at 0.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Polynesia in kind, 2017-2020, m³

Exports wood fuel from Polynesia

Exports in kind, m³

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Export levels varied significantly, with a 754-fold difference between the high of 37 m³ in 2018 and the low of 0.0 m³ in 2019. In 2020, Polynesia exported 3 m³ of wood fuel, a sharp increase of 6,140.2% from the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, at 99.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy was the main destination for Polynesia's wood fuel exports in volume terms, accounting for 81.4% of total flows. The remaining share was spread across several smaller markets.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports reached a peak of 7.3 K $ US in 2018 and a trough of 0.0 K $ US in 2019, with a 528-fold fluctuation between these years. In 2020, wood fuel exports from Polynesia amounted to 0.1 K $ US, up by 514.4% from the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, at 99.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy and New Zealand were the key markets for Polynesia's wood fuel exports in value terms, together making up 83.5% of total flows. Other destinations had relatively smaller shares.

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

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

Imports wood fuel to Polynesia

Imports in kind, m³

Market behavior was marked by volatility during these years. Import volumes fluctuated, with a 4.5-fold difference between the peak in 2020 and the trough in 2018. In 2020, Polynesia imported 2 750 m³ of wood fuel, a 50.0% increase from 2019. The minimum value was 615 m³ in 2018, with the largest decline of 46.2% also occurring that year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, at 197.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, New Zealand (52.7% of imports in volume), the United States (17.1%), and China (10.0%) were the primary sources for Polynesia's wood fuel imports in kind, collectively representing 79.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After rising for two years, Polynesia's wood fuel imports declined. In 2020, imports totaled approximately 264.1 K $ US, down by 30.0% from the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 13.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.2%. The maximum value was 377.4 K $ US in 2019, and the largest increase was 59.7% in 2018.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Indonesia (27.6% of imports in value), France (26.0%), and New Zealand (18.1%) formed the core group of markets for Polynesia's wood fuel imports in monetary terms, together accounting for 71.6% of total flows.

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

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