Charcoal market seen reaching 93.39 million tons by 2031

Mordor Intelligence projects the global charcoal market will rise from 73.26 million tons in 2025 to 93.39 million tons by 2031, driven by grilling, industrial fuel and purification demand. The report points to stronger opportunities for certified, traceable and lower-emission charcoal products in Europe and Japan.

Why it matters: - Charcoal demand is expanding beyond household cooking into grilling, water treatment, pharmaceuticals and industrial fuel. - The shift is creating more room for higher-value products, especially activated charcoal, briquettes and certified feedstocks. - Producers that can supply traceable and lower-emission material are gaining an advantage in markets with tighter sourcing rules.

What happened: - Mordor Intelligence projects the global charcoal market will grow from 73.26 million tons in 2025 to 76.29 million tons in 2026 and reach 93.39 million tons by 2031. - The forecast implies a 4.13% compound annual growth rate from 2026 through 2031. - Briquettes accounted for 39.22% of the market in 2025. - Coconut-shell charcoal is gaining demand because of its use in water treatment and pharmaceuticals. - The report says charcoal still serves as a household fuel in emerging economies while supporting premium grilling and industrial purification in developed markets.

The details: - Charcoal market growth is supported by demand for grilling, industrial fuel, water purification and sustainable carbon products. - Consumers in developed markets are showing stronger interest in artisanal lump charcoal and Japanese Binchotan. - Brands are also introducing flavored charcoal and specialized accessories to appeal to barbecue buyers. - European retailers are exploring alternative feedstocks such as coconut shells to address air-quality requirements. - Demand for activated charcoal is rising in municipal water filtration and pharmaceutical applications. - Utilities are turning to advanced filtration materials as concerns rise over contaminants including PFAS. - Industrial producers are exploring biochar as a partial substitute for conventional coke and fossil fuels. - Steelmakers are evaluating biochar to help reduce production emissions. - Cement companies are using biochar in co-firing applications. - Asia-Pacific remains a major center for production and consumption, supported by industrial use in China and rural household demand in India. - LPG adoption is reducing charcoal use in Indian cities, but rural households continue to rely on solid fuels. - ASEAN countries benefit from coconut-shell feedstock for activated carbon production. - North America relies on imports from Paraguay, Argentina and Mexico to meet grilling demand. - Europe is placing greater emphasis on certified sourcing to meet deforestation-related requirements. - That is pushing importers to work more closely with suppliers in Brazil and Indonesia and is adding pressure to procurement costs.

Between the lines: - The market is splitting into two tracks: low-cost household fuel in some regions and premium, regulated and industrial-grade products in others. - Certification and traceability are becoming commercial requirements, not just marketing advantages. - The report suggests sustainability rules may reshape trade flows even if overall demand grows. - Higher-value applications could help offset slower demand in mature grilling markets.

What's next: - Buyers are likely to keep favoring suppliers with FSC certification, traceable sourcing and biochar carbon credits. - Producers serving Europe and Japan may see more opportunity if they can document lower-emission supply chains. - The company highlighted traceability as a growing issue, including a February 2026 German reference guide that uses microscopic images and wood-species descriptions to identify charcoal and barbecue briquette origin. - Haycarb said in October 2025 it was building a new facility in the PHIVIDEC Industrial Zone in Misamis Oriental, with first-phase capacity of 6,000 metric tons of activated carbon a year and commissioning planned for April 2027. - Mordor Intelligence says the full report covers growth drivers, segmentation, regional trends and the competitive landscape at More information.

The bottom line: - Charcoal is no longer just a basic fuel market; the fastest opportunities are shifting toward premium grilling, activated carbon and certified industrial supply chains.