Wood fuel market in Seychelles

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the wood fuel market volume in Seychelles showed relative stability, ranging from 3 166 to 3 299 m³. Domestic production remained constant at 3 160 m³ each year, meaning all market fluctuations stemmed from changes in import volumes. This period was framed by the country's National Energy Policy, which aimed to reduce fossil fuel dependence and increase the share of renewables to 15% by 2030, creating a long-term framework that included biomass among its targets.

Specific developments in the energy sector provided context for the market. In 2018, the inauguration of a 5 MW solar park by Masdar marked a step in renewable integration. More directly, trials for biomass gasifiers supported by the World Bank were conducted in 2020, exploring the use of wood fuel for rural electrification. Concurrently, several medium-scale solar projects came online, such as a 2.5 MW farm on Desroches Island in 2021 and another 5 MW solar PV plant with battery storage in 2022, diversifying the renewable energy mix without directly displacing wood fuel consumption.

Despite the policy direction and pilot projects, the wood fuel sector remained a marginal part of the energy supply, accounting for only about 1% compared to 65% for petroleum products. Market volume saw a modest increase in 2019, followed by minor variations in subsequent years, reflecting the limited immediate impact of the broader energy transition on total wood fuel consumption during this six-year span.

Production wood fuel in Seychelles

In kind, 2017-2020, m³

Top producers of wood fuel, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood fuel, 2017-2020

In Seychelles, wood fuel production remained broadly stable in 2020, with output reaching 3 160 m³. This figure was largely unchanged compared to 2019. Notably, the largest decline and increase in production both occurred in 2018, each registering 0.0%.

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

Exports wood fuel from Seychelles

Based on market overview data, there were no exports of wood fuel from Seychelles between 2017 and 2020.

Imports wood fuel to Seychelles

Imports in kind, m³

After two consecutive years of growth, wood fuel imports into Seychelles declined in 2020. Imports totaled 59.6 m³ that year, representing a 57.2% decrease compared to 2019. Over the entire period from 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 33%, which translates to an annualized decline of 12.5%. The peak import volume was recorded in 2019 at 139.2 m³, which also saw the largest annual increase of 52.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa, Indonesia, and France were the principal suppliers of wood fuel to Seychelles in volume terms. South Africa accounted for 66.7% of imports, Indonesia for 11.1%, and France for 8.4%. Together, these three countries represented 86.2% of total wood fuel imports by volume during this period.

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

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

Imports in value, $ US

Following two years of growth, the value of wood fuel imports into Seychelles declined in 2020. Imports came to 60 799 US dollars that year, down 25.3% from the previous year. However, over the full 2017-2020 period, import values increased by 35.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.6%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 81 388 US dollars, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 45.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, and Spain consistently held leading positions in Seychelles' wood fuel import structure by value. South Africa accounted for 47.5% of import value, the United Arab Emirates for 16.4%, and Spain for 9.0%. Collectively, these three countries represented 72.9% of total import value during this four-year period.

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

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