IndexBox has just published a new report: ‘World – Wood Charcoal – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights’. Here is a summary of the report’s key findings.

The global wood charcoal market revenue amounted to $24.2B in 2018, remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers’ margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% from 2007 to 2018; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The global wood charcoal consumption peaked in 2018 and is likely to continue its growth in the immediate term.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of wood charcoal consumption in 2018 were Brazil (5.5M tonnes), Ethiopia (4.4M tonnes) and Nigeria (4.2M tonnes), together accounting for 28% of global consumption. These countries were followed by India, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Tanzania, China, Thailand, Madagascar, Egypt and Zambia, which together accounted for a further 33%.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of wood charcoal consumption, amongst the main consuming countries, was attained by Madagascar, while wood charcoal consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest wood charcoal markets worldwide were Brazil ($2.5B), Ethiopia ($2.2B) and Zambia ($2B), with a combined 27% share of the global market.

The countries with the highest levels of wood charcoal per capita consumption in 2018 were Zambia (74 kg per person), Ghana (68 kg per person) and Madagascar (60 kg per person).

Market Forecast 2019-2025

Driven by increasing demand for wood charcoal worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +1.6% for the period from 2018 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 62M tonnes by the end of 2030.

Production 2007-2018

In 2018, approx. 52M tonnes of wood charcoal were produced worldwide; flattening at the previous year. Over the period under review, wood charcoal production continues to indicate a modest increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 3.3% y-o-y.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of wood charcoal production in 2018 were Brazil (5.5M tonnes), Nigeria (4.5M tonnes) and Ethiopia (4.4M tonnes), together comprising 28% of global production. India, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Tanzania, China, Madagascar, Thailand, Egypt and Zambia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 33%.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of wood charcoal production, amongst the main producing countries, was attained by Madagascar, while wood charcoal production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports 2007-2018

Global exports amounted to 3M tonnes in 2018, jumping by 20% against the previous year. In general, the total exports indicated a resilient expansion from 2007 to 2018: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.4% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. In value terms, wood charcoal exports stood at $1.4B (IndexBox estimates) in 2018.

Exports by Country

In 2018, Indonesia (511K tonnes), distantly followed by Nigeria (280K tonnes), Myanmar (190K tonnes), Poland (185K tonnes) and Ukraine (174K tonnes) were the key exporters of wood charcoal, together comprising 45% of total exports. Namibia (126K tonnes), Viet Nam (123K tonnes), China (110K tonnes), Paraguay (106K tonnes), Cuba (102K tonnes), the Philippines (99K tonnes) and India (97K tonnes) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of exports, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by India, while exports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Indonesia ($288M) remains the largest wood charcoal supplier worldwide, comprising 21% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Poland ($120M), with a 8.7% share of global exports. It was followed by China, with a 6.7% share.

Export Prices by Country

In 2018, the average wood charcoal export price amounted to $463 per tonne, approximately mirroring the previous year. Over the period from 2007 to 2018, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.2%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when the average export price increased by 13% y-o-y. The global export price peaked in 2018 and is expected to retain its growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2018, the country with the highest price was China ($845 per tonne), while Myanmar ($172 per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Viet Nam, while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports 2007-2018

In 2018, the amount of wood charcoal imported worldwide amounted to 2.8M tonnes, going up by 22% against the previous year. In general, the total imports indicated a remarkable expansion from 2007 to 2018: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.4% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. In value terms, wood charcoal imports totaled $1.3B (IndexBox estimates) in 2018.

Imports by Country

The imports of the twelve major importers of wood charcoal, namely Germany, Japan, Poland, China, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, France, the U.S., the UK, the Netherlands, South Africa and Turkey, represented more than half of total import.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of imports, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Thailand, while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($129M), Japan ($124M) and Saudi Arabia ($73M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2018, together accounting for 25% of global imports.

Japan recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2018, the average wood charcoal import price amounted to $467 per tonne, remaining stable against the previous year. Over the last eleven-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.4%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2011 an increase of 8.4% against the previous year. The global import price peaked at $479 per tonne in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2018, import prices failed to regain their momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by the country of destination; the country with the highest price was the U.S. ($601 per tonne), while Thailand ($144 per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Saudi Arabia, while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox AI Platform