Wood fuel market in Zambia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, Zambia's wood fuel market volume remained remarkably stable at approximately 23 thousand m³. This consistency was rooted in the continued dominance of firewood and charcoal as the primary source of residential energy, especially in rural areas where they also served as a livelihood. Population growth increased demand for forest resources, while the adoption of cleaner alternatives like liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) was hindered by high costs, infrastructure gaps, and safety concerns.

The market's entrenched structure prevented significant change through 2020 and 2021. Socioeconomic factors and the persistent use of inefficient traditional cookstoves maintained high reliance on wood fuel, despite known public health impacts, ensuring steady consumption levels.

Policy changes in the broader energy sector from 2022 onward reinforced the wood fuel market's stability. The government's removal of fossil fuel subsidies led to sharp price increases for gasoline and diesel, making wood fuel a more economically resilient option for many households. Furthermore, regulations like Statutory Instrument No. 41 of 2023, which opened third-party access to fuel transportation pipelines, aimed to increase competition but did not alter the fundamental reliance on biomass. Household survey data from 2023 showed only 8.8% of homes used clean cooking fuels, highlighting enduring barriers to transition.

Production wood fuel in Zambia

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Globally, Zambia ranked as the 18th largest producer of wood fuel during the period from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of wood fuel, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood fuel, 2017-2020

In 2020, Zambia produced 23 033 thousand cubic meters of wood fuel, a figure that remained nearly unchanged from 2019. The most significant changes occurred in 2018, with both the largest decline and increase recorded at 0.0%.

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

Exports wood fuel from Zambia

Market research indicates that Zambia did not export any wood fuel between 2017 and 2020.

Imports wood fuel to Zambia

Imports in kind, m³

The market exhibited volatility throughout the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 1 201 cubic meters and peaked in 2018 at 3 834 cubic meters, representing a 3.2-fold difference. In 2020, wood fuel volumes in Zambia rose to 3 675 cubic meters, marking a 205.9% increase compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 68.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa dominated wood fuel imports to Zambia, accounting for 98.8% of the total volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two consecutive years of growth, imported wood fuel volumes in Zambia declined in 2020 to 85.5 thousand US dollars, a 45.3% decrease year-over-year. Imports peaked in 2019 at 156.4 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 23.2%. Overall, between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 22.5%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 8.2%.

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

During 2017–2020, the import partner base in value terms was highly concentrated, with South Africa alone responsible for 92.9% of total flows.

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

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