Wood pellets market in Northern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

From 2019 to 2021, the wood pellet market in Northern Africa saw substantial growth, with consumption increasing from 21 000 t to 32 000 t. This expansion was supported by the global cost competitiveness of pellets compared to other fuels, encouraging their adoption for residential and commercial heating.

The market then contracted in 2022 and 2023, falling to 29 000 t and 23 600 t respectively. This downturn coincided with a supply-side crisis marked by a shortage of key raw materials like sawdust and wood chips, coupled with rising production and transport costs. These factors drove pellet prices sharply higher, which reduced demand and market volume.

By 2024, new production capacity was approved with an annual target of 85 000 t, while improvements in supply chains and logistics contributed to price stabilization and greater product availability in the market.

Production wood pellets in Northern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of wood pellets, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood pellets, 2017-2020

In 2020, Northern Africa produced 34 000 tonnes of wood pellets, showing minimal change from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 0.0%, while the largest increase was also recorded in 2018 at 0.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Northern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports wood pellets from Northern Africa

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the period. Exports bottomed in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 11.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Northern Africa's wood pellet export volume was 4 473 tonnes, a sharp decrease of 65.7% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 13 050 tonnes, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 640.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Northern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the export partner base was extremely narrow, with Italy alone accounting for 96.9% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 12.8-fold difference. In 2020, cross-border shipments of wood pellets from Northern Africa reached 738 thousand US dollars, showing a steep decrease of 69.5% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 2 424 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 879.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, wood pellets from Northern Africa were largely oriented towards Italy, whose share in total exports in value terms reached 97.8%.

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

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

Imports wood pellets to Northern Africa

Imports in kind, t

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019, while the highest occurred in 2018, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 32 times. In 2020, Northern Africa imported approximately 92 tonnes of wood pellets, up by 1 967.3% over the past year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 4 tonnes, and the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 96.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Northern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Germany (45.9% of imports in kind), Spain (2.2% of imports in kind), and the United Kingdom (1.9% of imports in kind) made the biggest contribution to imports in kind, jointly accounting for 50.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. The period recorded a trough in 2019 and a peak in 2018, showing a 9.6-fold variation. In 2020, imported wood pellet volumes in Northern Africa amounted to 39 thousand US dollars, representing a sudden increase of 815.0% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 4 thousand US dollars, and the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 89.6%.

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

In 2017–2020, Germany (68.0% of imports in value terms), the United Kingdom (4.2% of imports in value terms), and France (3.2% of imports in value terms) together accounted for 75.4% of total imports in value terms, serving as the main destinations for wood pellets to Northern Africa.

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

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