Wood fuel production in South Africa experienced a relatively stable trend from 2013 to 2019, with minor fluctuations around the 12 million cubic meters mark. However, a notable increase was observed starting in 2020, with production rising to 12.25 million cubic meters, corresponding to a 1.87% year-on-year increase. This rising trend continued through 2021 and 2022, with production values stabilizing at 12.6 million cubic meters in those years. In 2023, wood fuel production saw a slight increase of 0.47%, reaching 12.659 million cubic meters. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the last five years has been 1.03%, indicating a steady upward trend.
Future projections suggest continued growth, with forecasts indicating production may reach 12.94 million cubic meters by 2028. The forecasted 5-year CAGR is 0.35%, suggesting continued but modest growth. Key areas to watch include sustainability practices in forestry, the impact of climate change on wood resources, and shifts in energy policy that may influence wood fuel demand.
