Wood fuel market in Western Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The wood fuel market in Western Asia underwent a pronounced contraction from 2018 to 2021, with its volume falling from 13.8 million m³ to 8.5 million m³. This decline was accompanied by a parallel drop in both domestic production and import volumes over these years.

A clear reversal emerged in 2022, as the market expanded to 10.5 million m³ and continued growing to 11.1 million m³ in 2023. This recovery was underpinned by a rise in production and a significant increase in imports during the two-year period.

In value terms, the market mirrored this trajectory, decreasing from $3.7 billion in 2018 to $2.6 billion in 2021 before recovering to $3.4 billion in 2023, remaining below its initial peak.

Production wood fuel in Western Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Top producers of wood fuel, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood fuel, 2017-2020

Western Asia's wood fuel production saw a two-year increase before declining. In 2019, production reached its peak at 9,680 thousand cubic meters. However, in 2020, it fell to 9,314 thousand cubic meters, marking a 3.8% decrease compared to the previous year. The most significant growth occurred in 2018, with a 3.6% increase.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, Western Asia's wood fuel production rebounded in value terms. In 2019, production hit its lowest point at 2,903 million US dollars. In 2020, it rose to 3,284 million US dollars, showing a strong 13.1% year-over-year gain. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 19.5%, with an average annual decline of 7.0%. The sharpest drop was recorded in 2018 at 20.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Western Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports wood fuel from Western Asia

Exports in kind, K m³

Wood fuel exports from Western Asia displayed notable volatility during the observed period. In 2017, exports were at their lowest point. They then surged by 98.7% in 2018, reaching a peak of 98 thousand cubic meters in 2019. In 2020, exports fell to 70 thousand cubic meters, a 28.1% decrease from the previous year. The difference between the peak in 2019 and the trough in 2017 was 2.6-fold.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Western Asia's wood fuel exports in kind were distributed across multiple markets without a single dominant partner. Italy accounted for 8.7% of exports, Bulgaria for 4.9%, and Greece for 1.6%. Together, these three countries represented 15.2% of total exports, with the remainder spread among numerous smaller partners, each holding modest individual shares.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, wood fuel exports from Western Asia in value terms declined. In 2019, exports peaked at 29.3 million US dollars. In 2020, they dropped to 24.7 million US dollars, a solid 15.5% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 48.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 14.1%. The largest increase occurred in 2018 at 51.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Western Asia's wood fuel exports in value terms were diversified across a wide range of partner countries. Italy was the top destination with 4.5% of exports, followed by Afghanistan at 2.2% and Somalia at 1.8%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for just 8.5% of total export flows, indicating a fragmented market structure.

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

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

Imports wood fuel to Western Asia

Imports in kind, K m³

Wood fuel imports into Western Asia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2018, imports reached their highest level at 4,286 thousand cubic meters, with a 2.3% increase that year. In 2019, they fell sharply by 58.2%, and in 2020, imports amounted to 1,479 thousand cubic meters, a strong 17.5% contraction compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 64.7%, with an average annual decline of 29.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Western Asia's wood fuel imports in kind were concentrated among a few key suppliers. The United States was the largest source, accounting for 33.5% of imports, followed by Ukraine at 15.1% and Indonesia at 10.7%. Together, these three countries absorbed 59.2% of total imports, making them the primary sources for Western Asia.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Western Asia's wood fuel imports in value terms declined for the second year in a row. In 2018, imports peaked at 531.5 million US dollars, with a 5.7% increase that year. In 2019, they fell by 27.9%, and in 2020, imports reached 362.8 million US dollars, indicating a 5.3% year-over-year decrease. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 27.8%, with an average annual decline of 10.3%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Indonesia was the leading source for Western Asia's wood fuel imports in value terms, accounting for 28.4% of the total. The United States followed with 13.3%, and Nigeria with 8.9%. Together, these three countries represented 50.7% of total import flows, serving as the main markets for imports.

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

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