Charcoal Market is Segmented By Product (Lump Charcoal, Japanese Charcoal, Activated Charcoal, Charcoal Briquettes, Sugar Charcoal, and Others), By Application (Outdoor Activities, Restaurant Business, Metallurgical Fuel, Industrial Fuel, Filtration, Others), and By Region (North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa) – Share, Size, Outlook, and Opportunity Analysis, 2024-2031
Market Overview
Global Charcoal market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 3.10% during the forecast period 2024-2031. Demand from cement production and growth in the food business is driving growth in South America.
Charcoal is a black carbon residual product from plant materials like wood. The production process for charcoal is carried out in the presence of oxygen to remove volatile and water. Activated charcoal is the second most common charcoal used in industrial applications. The activation process involves heating the charcoal, steaming it, or treating it with a chemical to remove things stuck to it and break it down into finer particles, increasing the surface area. Due to its adsorptive qualities, activated carbon has been employed as a 'universal antidote' in poisoning instances, as a filter assist agent, and in decolorization operations.
The global charcoal market has been growing recently. It is expected to grow over the forecast period due to rising demand for recreational cooking and metal making, building & construction, healthcare, industrial filtration, and pharmaceutical applications. Charcoal is used as an excellent alternative for coal in cooking applications. Furthermore, the popularity of barbeque cooking in restaurants is expected to raise the demand for charcoal.
Market Summary
| Metrics | Details |
| Market CAGR | 3.10% |
| Segments Covered | By Product, By Application, and By Region |
| Report Insights Covered | Competitive Landscape Analysis, Company Profile Analysis, Market Size, Share, Growth, Demand, Recent Developments, Mergers and acquisitions, New Product Launches, Growth Strategies, Revenue Analysis, and Other key insights. |
| Fastest Growing Region | Asia Pacific |
| Largest Market Share | North America |
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Market Dynamics
The rising consumption of barbequed food has increased the demand for charcoal
Barbecuing is a highly frequent activity in many parts of the world, particularly during the summer. While some individuals like to barbecue with gas or electricity, many prefer to grill with charcoal because it offers their meals a unique smoky flavor. In addition, while charcoal is mostly utilized for recreational barbecues in North America and Europe, it is the principal cooking fuel in most African countries.
Furthermore, the market is primarily driven by the expanding popularity of grilled cuisine globally and the growing adoption of grilled food among millennials. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, lockdown restrictions and the necessity to preserve social distancing have resulted in more people staying home. As a result, many people cook at home and host modest social gatherings. As a result of this situation, demand for home cooking equipment and materials has increased.
The increased popularity of barbecue restaurants among consumers in developing nations like China, India, Brazil, and Mexico is expected to boost growth. The surge in trekking and camping activities is expected to boost product demand further. Workplace stress and a demanding lifestyle encourage working individuals to spend their weekends and vacations outside. Over the projected period, this aspect is expected to provide new business opportunities for key home cooking equipment and materials players.
Stringent government regulation for charcoal production globally has severely challenged the market growth for the product
Several charcoal production policies and standards have been implemented to ensure product quality and safe handling. For example, the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (S.C. 2010, c. 21) covers the threat that consumer products represent to human health and safety in Canada, covering both domestic and international products. Furthermore, The Malawian government's ban on traditional hardwood charcoal could not be enforced politically and traditional charcoal remained popular among urban inhabitants.
The European Committee for Standardization adopted EN 1860, a four-part standard that defines characteristics of barbecue apparatus, fuels, and firelighters for grilling, between 2003 and 2006. The second part of the stated standard, named Barbecue appliances, solid fuels, and firelighters — Part 2: Barbecue charcoal and barbecue charcoal briquettes, was adopted in 2005.
After the EN 1860-2 standard was adopted, all Committee for Standardization member nations with their national charcoal standards were required to revoke and replace them with the new standard. The GOST standard still applies because the Russian Federation is not a European Committee for Standardization member.
All of the above standards define fixed carbon, ash content, moisture content, and volatile matter as the essential qualities of charcoal. The good quality of the generated charcoal is characterized by the balance of values of the stated attributes since if the equilibrium is upset, charcoal that burns slowly or too quickly is obtained. Furthermore, charcoal produces more ash and volatile materials during combustion with low fixed carbon content.
Furthermore, a high ash percentage can indicate the existence of sand, minerals, lignite, and other similar elements, which, in addition to producing unpleasant smoke, can make it difficult to light a charcoal fire and alter the taste of food. Thus, stringent government regulations on charcoal have challenged the product's market growth.
COVID-19 Impact on Market
COVID-19 significantly impacted the charcoal market because practically every country chose to shut down all production facilities except those producing necessary items. The COVID-19 pandemic has hurt the charcoal market to some extent. As a result of the lower operation activities in the sectors involved with the charcoal industry, the market is expected to show a slow growth rate in the forecast period. However, as the market opened after COVID-19, growth is expected to regain the market momentum significantly due to increased demand for barbequed meals. The mentioned factor is projected to contribute to the market's overall growth.
Manufacturers are investing heavily to revive the market by pursuing strategic measures. Furthermore, during COVID-19, producers in supply areas and vendors in the cities have not received the necessary support from the government. However, the government offers funding in developed countries to improve the market growth. For instance, in European Union-funded Governing Multifunctional Landscapes and FORETS projects, CIFOR has been tracking the project since 2019 to improve sustainable charcoal production in the communities around Kisangani.
Market Segmentation Analysis
The global charcoal market is segmented on product, application, and region.
Activated charcoal is predicted to grow in relevance in the next years because of rising environmental laws and a growing focus on sustainability
The global charcoal market is segmented into lump charcoal, Japanese charcoal, charcoal briquettes, sugar charcoal, and activated charcoal. Out of the mentioned charcoal products, activated charcoal is expected to hold a significant market share. Activated charcoal is an essential ingredient in various chemical and environmental sectors. Due to its enormous pore surface area, activated charcoal has a very high adsorption capability. As a result, this form of charcoal commands a far higher market price than standard fuel charcoal.
Activated charcoal is made by eliminating the tarry residues from regular fuel charcoal, allowing the pores in the charcoal to be more accessible for adsorption. The method dramatically enhances the pore surface area of the charcoal. Furthermore, activated charcoal is essential in environmental recovery and purification because of its adsorbent nature. Water treatment, pharmaceuticals, and air purification use food and beverage. Activated charcoal is predicted to grow in relevance in the next years because of rising environmental laws and a growing focus on sustainability.
Market Geographical Share
Industrialization increased cement production and growth in the food business, fueled mostly by the rising popularity of grilled cuisine, is driving market growth in South America
Since the historical period, South America has been the world's largest charcoal market. Industrialization increased cement production and growth in the food business, fueled mostly by the rising popularity of grilled cuisine, which is driving market growth in the region. Brazil is predicted to top the South American market in 2029, earning approximately $xx billion in revenue due to increased steel, iron, and other metal production.
Furthermore, the Middle East and Africa are expected to show fast growth in the charcoal market during the forecast period, owing to the rising demand for charcoal for barbeque applications and rising urbanization in the region. There is a huge demand for charcoal briquettes in the Middle East countries, such as Saudi Arabia and UAE. However, charcoal production in the Middle East is still in an early phase despite the availability of biomass resources, including date palm biomass. Increasing demand for charcoal briquettes in the region is the primary factor for the growth of charcoal as meat consumption in the area is increasing, which uses charcoal briquettes as fuel for barbecue, outdoor grills, and related activities.
In addition, China is the world's largest producer of charcoal and the Asia-Pacific region is anticipated to lead the charcoal market globally in 2029. While the leading producers of charcoal are Indonesia, China, Poland, Ukraine, Vietnam, the Philippines, Mexico, and the Netherlands, the major importers of charcoal are still Japan, Germany, South Korea, the U.S., and Saudi Arabia. The leading companies worldwide charcoal market include Timber Charcoal Company Co. LLC, GRYFSKAND, Royal Oak, Kingsford Products Company, and Duraflame Inc.
Companies and Competitive Landscape
The global charcoal market is highly competitive with local and global key players. Key players contributing to the market's growth are Sagar Charcoal and Firewood Depot, E & C Charcoal, Jumbo Charcoal (Pty) Ltd, Subur Tiasa Holdings Berhad, The Clorox Company, Fire & Flavor, Timber Charcoal Company LLC, FogoCharcoal.com, NamCo Charcoal, and Timber Products, Namchar, Mesjaya Sdn Bhd, Cook In Wood, Royal Oak Enterprises, LLC., Duraflame, Inc. among others.
The major companies are adopting several growth strategies such as product launches, acquisitions, and collaborations, contributing to the global growth of the charcoal market.
• In 2022, The Liquid Core Gum Company recently announced the availability of Liquid Core SMILE Gum, which provides a freshly cleaned mouth following meals or when brushing isn't practical. Liquid Core SMILE, which contains Activated Charcoal and Hydroxyapatite, an alternative to fluoride, was created utilizing components that have been clinically demonstrated to strengthen tooth enamel and enhance oral health. The Liquid Core Health & Wellness Collection includes Liquid Core SMILE Gum. National Smile Month, a promotion emphasizing the advantages of good oral health and introducing Liquid Core SMILE occur simultaneously.
Kingsford Company
Overview: Kingsford is a brand of grilling charcoal briquettes and other goods. The Clorox Company is the brand's owner; it was founded in 1920. With an 80% market share right now, the Kingsford Products Company continues to be the top producer of charcoal in the U.S. More than 1 million tonnes of wood waste are turned into charcoal briquettes. Depending on the local manufacturing facility, Kingsford Charcoal is created from soft and hardwoods such as pine, spruce, hickory, oak, and others. The char is combined with ground coal and other materials to create a charcoal briquette.
Product Portfolio: ORIGINAL CHARCOAL: Kingsford Original Charcoal has been the benchmark for grilling since 1920. Kingsford Original provides barbecue enthusiasts with the smoky wood-fired flavor they enjoy because it is made in the U.S. with only natural ingredients, including North American wood. Any grilling occasion benefits from using the Original briquets. Kingsford Original gives the best in real barbecue flavor, whether grilling veggies, smoking a brisket, or lighting the fire at the upcoming tailgate. Kingsford lights more quickly than rival brands, providing you with the best grilling experience possible every time. Sizes are available, ranging from 4-lb to 2x20-lb bags.
Key Development
• On 30 April 2019, Kingsford Company introduced wood-fired hardwood pellets. The product is manufactured with all-natural ingredients and provides a wood flavor in grilled and barbequed foods.
