Market research

Wood fuel market in South America

Release date: Mar 30, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"South America" region includes following countries:

Argentina

Bolivia

Bouvet Island

Brazil

Chile

Colombia

Ecuador

Falkland Islands (Malvinas)

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

French Guiana

Guyana

Paraguay

Peru

Suriname

Uruguay

Venezuela

Earlier Report Observations

The wood fuel market in South America expanded from 166.2 million m³ in 2018 to 181.7 million m³ in 2023. After a slight contraction to 165.2 million m³ in 2019, consumption steadied in 2020 and then rose consistently through 2021 and 2022, reaching 179.1 million m³ before a further increase in 2023.

By 2024, industry sources pointed to sharply higher electricity and fossil fuel prices, intensified by the global energy crisis and the war in Ukraine, which made wood fuel a more cost‑effective alternative for many households and businesses. This was accompanied by growing consumer preference for renewable and sustainable energy sources, leading to wider use of wood fuel for cooking, heating, and recreational purposes.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in South America
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in South America in kind, 2018-2023, M m³
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, M m³
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, M m³
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Exports
1. 6.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Exports in kind, K m³
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Argentina in kind, 2018-2024, K m³
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, K m³
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Argentina in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/m³
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Argentina, 2018-2024, $ US/m³
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/m³
2. 6.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Exports in kind, K m³
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Argentina in kind, 2018-2024, K m³
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, K m³
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Argentina in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/m³
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Argentina, 2018-2024, $ US/m³
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/m³
7. Imports
1. 7.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Imports in kind, K m³
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Argentina in kind, 2018-2024, K m³
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, K m³
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Argentina in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/m³
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Argentina, 2018-2024, $ US/m³
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/m³
2. 7.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Imports in kind, K m³
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Argentina in kind, 2018-2024, K m³
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, K m³
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Argentina in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/m³
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Argentina, 2018-2024, $ US/m³
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/m³
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K m³
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K m³
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production wood fuel in South America

In kind, 2017-2020, M m³

Top producers of wood fuel, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of wood fuel, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

South America's wood fuel production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 177.7 million cubic meters of wood fuel, showing only a marginal fluctuation compared to 2019. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 180.5 million cubic meters. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 1.4% decrease, while the largest increase was in 2018 with a 1.5% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in South America in kind, 2017-2020, M m³

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	1.5%	(1.4%)	(0.1%)	(0.0%)

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of growth, wood fuel production in South America declined. In 2020, the output was valued at 10 153 million US dollars, representing a 5.2% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 9.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.2%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 10 710 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 8.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in South America in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	6.8%	8.4%	(5.2%)	3.2%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports wood fuel from South America

Exports in kind, K m³

Wood fuel exports from South America declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 11 024 thousand cubic meters, down 13.7% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 16.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 5.7%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 14 542 thousand cubic meters, which also experienced the largest increase of 10.7%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	10.7%	(12.1%)	(13.7%)	(5.7%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, three main markets—Japan, China, and Portugal—together absorbed 89.6% of South America's total wood fuel exports by volume.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

South America's wood fuel export value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 629.9 million US dollars, marking a significant 18.2% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 7.8%, with an annualized rate of 2.7%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 795.8 million US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 16.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South America in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	16.4%	(3.3%)	(18.2%)	(2.7%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, three principal markets—Japan, China, and Portugal—together accounted for 80.4% of South America's total wood fuel exports by value.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports wood fuel to South America

Imports in kind, K m³

South America's wood fuel imports showed noticeable fluctuations during the period. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 71 thousand cubic meters, which saw the largest decline of 72.8%. In 2020, imports reached 266 thousand cubic meters, marking a steep 275.5% increase from the previous year. The peak-to-trough ratio between 2019 and 2020 was 3.8 times.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	219.5%	(72.8%)	275.5%	48.4%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Indonesia (5.1% of import volume), Portugal (2.0%), and the United States (1.1%) were the primary suppliers of wood fuel to South America, jointly accounting for 8.2% of total imports by volume.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, South America's wood fuel import value declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 33.2 million US dollars, representing a significant 11.7% decrease from 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 37.6 million US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 13.2% rise.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	13.2%	1.5%	(11.7%)	0.5%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, there was no single dominant market for wood fuel imports to South America. Indonesia (20.7% of import value), the United States (10.2%), and France (5.8%) together accounted for 36.7% of total imports by value, with many smaller partners each holding modest individual shares.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io