Wood fuel market in Uganda

Earlier Report Observations

Uganda's wood fuel market volume grew steadily from 43,731 K m³ in 2018 to 45,999 K m³ in 2023, with production showing a consistent annual increase. This expansion was underpinned by the dominant role of biomass energy, which constituted 85% of the country's energy mix, sustaining high demand for charcoal and firewood and contributing to significant annual forest cover loss.

During the period, efforts to address environmental impacts emerged, including a 2020 FAO project promoting sustainable charcoal production through woodlots and efficient kilns. In 2022, the government's Energy Transition Plan set a target to reduce biomass reliance from 85% to 50% by 2024/25, signaling a policy shift toward cleaner energy sources while the wood fuel market continued to expand.

Investment in renewable energy accelerated, with TotalEnergies committing to solar PV projects in 2022 and acquiring a stake in the Bujagali hydropower plant in 2024. Government actions to improve electricity affordability also aimed to alter the energy mix, but consumer dependence on affordable and accessible biomass fuels persisted, supporting ongoing wood fuel market growth.

Production wood fuel in Uganda

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Between 2017 and 2020, Uganda ranked 9th globally in wood fuel production.

Top producers of wood fuel, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood fuel, 2017-2020

Uganda's wood fuel production grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 44 631 thousand cubic meters of wood fuel, marking a 1.0% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 3.1%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.0%.

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

Exports wood fuel from Uganda

Exports in kind, m³

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Import levels fluctuated significantly, with a threefold difference between the peak in 2018 and the low in 2020. In 2020, Uganda's cross-border shipments of wood fuel totaled 39 cubic meters, representing a sharp decline of 51.4% compared to 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 116 cubic meters, with the largest increase occurring that year at 177.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kenya, India, and Sudan were the primary markets for Uganda's wood fuel exports in kind. Kenya accounted for 29.3% of exports, India for 26.6%, and Sudan for 13.9%. Together, these three countries represented 69.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, $ US

The market displayed volatile behavior during these years. The highest value was recorded in 2020, while the lowest occurred in 2017, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 57 times. In 2020, Uganda's wood fuel exports in monetary terms stood at 65 880 US dollars, corresponding to a substantial rise of 1 177.7% from 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 89.8%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 4 300.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, and South Sudan were consistently the main destinations for Uganda's wood fuel exports in value terms. The Democratic Republic of the Congo accounted for 27.7% of exports, Kenya for 23.9%, and South Sudan for 21.9%. Collectively, these three countries made up 73.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports wood fuel to Uganda

Imports in kind, m³

The market experienced volatility during these years. Volumes reached their maximum in 2017 and dropped to a minimum in 2018, with a 57-fold shift between these points. In 2020, Uganda imported 344 cubic meters of wood fuel, which is 81.6% lower year-over-year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 136 cubic meters, with the largest decline occurring that year at 98.2%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 1 276.0%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Kenya remained the primary destination for Uganda's wood fuel imports in kind, accounting for 76.9% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed among various smaller markets.

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

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

Imports in value, $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Imports varied by 11.7-fold from a high in 2019 to a low in 2017. In 2020, Uganda's foreign wood fuel supplies in monetary terms amounted to 21 515 US dollars, which is 71.3% less year-over-year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 74 928 US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 465.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Sudan, Sudan, and Turkey formed the core of Uganda's wood fuel imports in value terms. South Sudan accounted for 40.2% of imports, Sudan for 13.6%, and Turkey for 12.5%. Together, these three countries represented 66.3% of total import flows.

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

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