Wood fuel market in the Philippines

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the wood fuel market in the Philippines contracted in physical volume from 11 266 thousand m³ to 10 766 thousand m³. In contrast, the market's value in monetary terms rose substantially, peaking at 4 790 million USD in 2022 after starting at 2 655 million USD in 2018, before falling to 3 792 million USD in 2023.

The increase in market value until 2022 was influenced by external energy price shocks. Global oil price rises in 2021, driven by post-pandemic economic reopening, made wood fuel a more competitive alternative heating source. This effect was amplified in 2022 when geopolitical events, including the war in Ukraine, disrupted global energy supply and pushed oil prices higher, elevating the value of wood fuel in the Philippine market. The subsequent decline in value during 2023 aligned with a moderation in these price pressures.

Production wood fuel in the Philippines

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Top producers of wood fuel, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood fuel, 2017-2020

In 2019, wood fuel production in the Philippines reached its lowest point at 11,376 thousand cubic meters. The following year, in 2020, production remained nearly unchanged, showing only a marginal fluctuation from the previous year. The most significant decline occurred in 2018, with a decrease of 1.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Wood fuel production in the Philippines continued to grow for the second consecutive year. In 2018, output hit its lowest value at 2,708 million US dollars, with a substantial decline of 29.7% that year. The following year, 2019, saw the largest increase at 23.4%. By 2020, production reached 3,881 million US dollars, marking a robust rise of 16.1% compared to 2019.

Annual dynamics of production in the Philippines in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports wood fuel from the Philippines

Exports in kind, K m³

Wood fuel exports from the Philippines displayed notable volatility during the observed period. In 2017, exports were at their lowest point, while they peaked in 2018 at 223.8 thousand cubic meters, representing the largest increase of 210.8%. The following year, 2019, experienced the most significant decline at 30.8%. In 2020, exports totaled 149.5 thousand cubic meters, down by 3.4% from 2019, with the overall variation from 2017 to 2018 showing a 3.1-fold difference.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the primary buyers of wood fuel from the Philippines were China, accounting for 53.5% of exports in kind, Japan with 24.4%, and South Korea at 7.2%. Together, these three countries comprised 85.1% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data indicates irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. In 2017, export values were at their lowest, while they peaked in 2018 at 52,736 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase of 120.8% that year. The following year, 2019, saw the most significant decline at 13.8%. In 2020, foreign wood fuel supplies from the Philippines amounted to 51,018 thousand US dollars, up by 12.2% compared to the prior year, with the peak-to-trough ratio from 2017 to 2018 being 2.2 times.

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

During the period from 2017 to 2020, the principal destinations for wood fuel exports from the Philippines in value terms were China, representing 41.2% of exports, Japan at 36.9%, and South Korea with 7.2%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 85.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports wood fuel to the Philippines

Imports in kind, K m³

The data reveals irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. In 2018, imports hit their lowest point at 1.7 thousand cubic meters, with the largest decline of 96.8% that year. The following year, 2019, recorded the most significant increase at 1,351.5%. In 2020, the Philippines imported 7.9 thousand cubic meters of wood fuel, down by 68.3% compared to 2019. The overall variation from the peak in 2017 to the trough in 2018 showed a 31-fold difference.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources of wood fuel imports to the Philippines in kind were Singapore, contributing 26.0% of imports, Thailand at 21.2%, and the Solomon Islands with 17.9%. Together, these three countries made up 65.2% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. In 2018, import values reached their minimum at 565 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline of 91.6% that year. The following year, 2019, saw the most significant increase at 198.8%. In 2020, cross-border shipments of wood fuel to the Philippines were recorded at 1,130 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp drop of 33.0% compared with 2019. The peak in 2017 and trough in 2018 had an 11.9-fold gap.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, the leading suppliers of wood fuel to the Philippines in value terms were the Solomon Islands, accounting for 48.2% of imports, Singapore at 10.0%, and Thailand with 9.0%. Their combined share reached 67.2% of total imports in value terms.

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

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