Wood fuel market in the United Arab Emirates

Earlier Report Observations

The wood fuel market in the UAE experienced significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. After a modest increase to 147.5 thousand m³ in 2019, market volume dropped to 127.2 thousand m³ in 2020. It then recovered to 134.1 thousand m³ in 2021 and surged to a peak of 163.0 thousand m³ in 2022, before edging down to 154.6 thousand m³ in 2023. Domestic production remained stable at around 19 thousand m³ throughout the period.

The market's recovery in 2021 coincided with the UAE's advancing green development agenda, which emphasized sustainable finance and enhanced ESG practices, supporting demand for wood fuel as part of environmental sustainability efforts. In 2023, industrial emission reduction initiatives and national strategies for sustainable industrial growth continued to underpin demand for alternative fuels like wood fuel, even as overall market volume dipped slightly.

Changes in net imports were the primary driver of market volume movements, as stable domestic production meant that shifts in import and export flows directly affected supply. The notable expansion of ADNOC Distribution in the fuel and retail sector during 2023 reflected ongoing activity in the broader fuel market, which may have influenced competitive dynamics.

Production wood fuel in the United Arab Emirates

In kind, 2017-2020, m³

Top producers of wood fuel, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood fuel, 2017-2020

Wood fuel production in the United Arab Emirates has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 18 929 m³ of wood fuel, remaining relatively stable compared to 2019.

Annual dynamics of production in the United Arab Emirates in kind, 2017-2020, m³

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Wood fuel production in the United Arab Emirates has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 6 699 K $ US, up by 18.6% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 9.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 4 624 K $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 24.5%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest increase of 22.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United Arab Emirates in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports wood fuel from the United Arab Emirates

Exports in kind, K m³

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 3.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, wood fuel exports from the United Arab Emirates totaled 26.6 K m³, down by 29.0% from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 60.4 K m³, which also saw the largest increase of 209.6%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 37.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the largest buyers of wood fuel from the United Arab Emirates in volume terms were Saudi Arabia (34.0% of exports), Oman (27.9% of exports), and Kuwait (15.3% of exports). Together, these three countries accounted for 77.2% of total exports.

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

World map of product's exports from the United Arab Emirates in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. The lowest export value was recorded in 2017, while the highest occurred in 2018, with a 2.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, wood fuel exports from the United Arab Emirates were valued at 9 421 K $ US, down by 16.0% from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 14 826 K $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 133.3%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 24.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading destinations for wood fuel exports from the United Arab Emirates in value terms were Oman (28.3% of exports), Saudi Arabia (24.1% of exports), and Kuwait (14.8% of exports). Together, these three countries accounted for 67.1% of total export value.

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

World map of product's exports from the United Arab Emirates in value, 2017-2020

Imports wood fuel to the United Arab Emirates

Imports in kind, K m³

Wood fuel imports to the United Arab Emirates have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 134.9 K m³, representing a significant decrease of 18.8% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 28.5%, with a compound annual decline rate of 10.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources of wood fuel imports to the United Arab Emirates in volume terms were Nigeria (27.8% of imports), Vietnam (13.5% of imports), and Indonesia (12.5% of imports). Together, these three countries accounted for 53.8% of total imports.

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

World map of product's imports to the United Arab Emirates in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Wood fuel imports to the United Arab Emirates have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 37 102 K $ US, showing a substantial drop of 18.7% year-on-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 13.9%, equating to an annualized decline of 4.9%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 46 838 K $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 8.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three principal markets—Nigeria, Indonesia, and Vietnam—together accounted for 55.1% of total wood fuel imports to the United Arab Emirates in value terms.

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

World map of product's imports to the United Arab Emirates in value, 2017-2020