Wood fuel market in Syria

Earlier Report Observations

The wood fuel market in Syria expanded from 38 238 m³ in 2018 to 54 009 m³ in 2023. Growth was nearly continuous, with a minor stabilization in 2020 followed by strong increases in 2021 and 2022.

A key driver for the 13.2% market growth in 2022 was a major shift in household heating behavior. Shortages of subsidized heating oil and volatile liquid fuel prices pushed consumers toward wood as a cheaper alternative. This transition was facilitated by the local introduction and spread of dedicated wood-burning heaters, which made wood fuel a more practical and accessible option for home heating.

The resulting surge in demand led to record-high wood prices and increased consumption volumes as families sought to manage their energy costs. The market's upward trajectory continued into 2023, reaching 54 009 m³, supported by these established trends.

Production wood fuel in Syria

In kind, 2017-2020, m³

Top producers of wood fuel, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood fuel, 2017-2020

Syria's wood fuel production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 36 338 m³ of wood fuel, marking a modest 2.2% improvement compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 6.8%, which translates to an average annual increase of 2.2%.

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

Exports wood fuel from Syria

Exports in kind, m³

The market displayed significant volatility during the observed period. In 2019, wood fuel exports from Syria reached their peak at 332 m³, but by 2020, shipments had plummeted to just 17 m³—a dramatic 94.8% decrease from the previous year. This represents a 19-fold difference between the high and low points from 2019 to 2020. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a surge of 580.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey and Lebanon were the primary destinations for Syria's wood fuel exports in kind, together accounting for 83.9% of total flows. The remaining volume was distributed among smaller markets.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Export volumes in value terms peaked in 2019 at 54.2 K $ US, then dropped sharply to 7.9 K $ US in 2020—an 85.5% decline compared to the previous year. This resulted in a 6.9-fold difference between the highest and lowest volumes. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, with a rise of 204.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Turkey, Lebanon, and the Netherlands emerged as the main markets for Syria's wood fuel exports in value terms. Turkey accounted for 38.0% of exports, Lebanon for 30.8%, and the Netherlands for 21.0%, collectively representing 89.9% of total flows.

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

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

Imports wood fuel to Syria

Imports in kind, m³

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Imports in kind reached their highest point in 2019 at 4 632 m³, then fell to their lowest in 2017, with a 2.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Syria imported 3 032 m³ of wood fuel, reflecting a steep 34.5% drop year-over-year. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with a jump of 109.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Syria's imports of wood fuel in kind were heavily dependent on Turkey, which accounted for 93.6% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, wood fuel deliveries to Syria totaled 581.0 K $ US, showing an abrupt 27.8% increase over the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 58.1%, equivalent to an average annual rate of 16.5%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 13.2%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 42.6% rise.

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

During 2017–2020, Syria's imports of wood fuel in value terms were primarily oriented towards Turkey and China. Together, these two markets accounted for 84.9% of total flows, with other destinations playing a secondary role.

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

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