Wood fuel market in Sudan

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for wood fuel in Sudan remained remarkably stable from 2018 to 2023, fluctuating within a narrow range of 15 527 to 15 584 thousand m³. Production levels held steady at around 15 583 thousand m³ annually from 2019 onward, with minimal import and export activity.

During this period, Sudan's energy sector faced severe disruptions from war and the destruction of oil infrastructure, leading to complete reliance on imported petroleum fuels and recurrent supply crises. State-owned companies expanded their role in fuel import and distribution, while pressure on private importers and ad-hoc pricing adjustments created volatility in the liquid fuels market. Despite these challenges, the wood fuel market demonstrated resilience, likely supported by its local production base and role as a traditional energy source.

By 2024, plans were announced to modernize oil refining capacity through cooperation with China, and American and Turkish companies entered via strategic partnerships in the oil sector. These developments in the petroleum industry, however, did not immediately alter the wood fuel market volume, which continued to show stability.

Production wood fuel in Sudan

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Globally, Sudan ranked as the 27th largest producer of wood fuel between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of wood fuel, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood fuel, 2017-2020

In 2020, Sudan produced 15 583 K m³ of wood fuel, maintaining the same level as in 2019. The highest production volume was recorded in 2019 at 15 583 K m³, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 at 0.7%.

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

Exports wood fuel from Sudan

Exports in kind, m³

Sudan's wood fuel exports grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 7 133 m³, marking a 13.5% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports rose by 72.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 19.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were the primary buyers of wood fuel from Sudan, together accounting for 83.3% of total exports in volume. The remaining exports were distributed among various other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed significant volatility during these years. Exports in value terms varied by 3.3 times between the lowest point in 2017 and the peak in 2019. In 2020, Sudan exported wood fuel worth 1 510 K US dollars, down 31.9% year-over-year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 2 218 K US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 105.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Saudi Arabia and Jordan were the key export partners in value terms, jointly representing 83.2% of total export flows, with other partners making up the remainder.

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

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

Imports wood fuel to Sudan

Imports in kind, m³

Sudan's wood fuel imports declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 68 m³, a 96.2% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 99.8%, with a compound annual decline rate of 88.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ethiopia was the dominant source for Sudan's wood fuel imports in volume, holding an 89.5% share of total imports. Other markets contributed relatively smaller portions.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market experienced notable volatility during these years. Imports in value terms fluctuated widely, with a 23-fold difference between the lowest and highest points from 2017 to 2019. In 2020, Sudan imported wood fuel worth 153 K US dollars, up 4.0% from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 153 K US dollars, and the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 94.7%.

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

During 2017-2020, Ethiopia accounted for the majority of Sudan's wood fuel imports in value, with a 90.2% share of total import flows.

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

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