Vietnam Charcoal Market Size and Share Outlook - Forecast Trends and Growth Analysis Report (2025-2034)

The Vietnam charcoal market attained a volume of 2.12 Million Tons in 2024. The industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.70% during the forecast period of 2025-2034. The country’s charcoal production has taken off due to the speed of urbanization and increasing global demands for eco-friendly alternatives to fuel production, particularly in sustainable segments such as coconut shell and bamboo charcoal. In turn, all these factors have resulted in the market attaining a volume of 3.69 Million Tons by 2034.

Vietnam Charcoal Market Report Summary

Market Size 2024

• Million Tons
• 2.12

Market Size 2034

• Million Tons
• 3.69
• CAGR 2025-2034
• 5.70%

CAGR 2025-2034 - Market by Product

Structures Charcoal Briquettes

• 6.4%

CAGR 2025-2034 - Market by Application

• Barbeque
• 6.3%

Vietnam Charcoal Market Overview

Global Shift Towards Renewable Biomass Energy and Increased Export Accelerate the Market Growth

The Vietnam charcoal market is growing fast with the increase in global shift toward renewable biomass energy and increasing exports to Europe, the Middle East, and Japan. The major drivers of the market include low-cost production and abundant availability of raw materials such as coconut shells and hardwoods, and support for sustainable farming practices. Export-oriented companies are increasing their innovation pathways with products like smokeless briquettes and high-carbon Japanese white charcoal. Moreover, the companies are focusing on recent technological upgrades of carbonization processes to improve quality and reduce emissions. Players are also upgrading their packaging, branding, and certification, for premium markets.

Vietnam Charcoal Market Drivers

Rising Global Demand for Eco-Friendly Solid Fuels

As an alternative for heating, cooking, and industrial purposes, charcoal is fast becoming common as countries are now moving away from using fossil fuels. Charcoal, especially the FSC-certified and coconut-based types, meets international environmental standards and is now regarded well in Europe, Japan, and the Middle East, boosting the overall demand in the Vietnam charcoal market. On the other hand, exporters are benefitting from trading conditions and increasing awareness on the part of consumers for clean-burning fuels. This green energy initiative is likely to sustain long-term demand and stimulate the modernization of production facilities throughout the industry in Vietnam.

Competitive Manufacturing Costs and Abundant Raw Material Supply

Vietnam has plentiful raw materials from the forests including hardwoods, agricultural byproducts such as coconut shells, etc., which provide steady supply at low prices. The cheap labor and efficient transport links that come with these raw materials allow producers to turn out quality charcoal at globally competitive prices, accelerating the Vietnam charcoal market revenue. Many charcoal manufacturing plants are located near forest or coconut plantations, reducing their procurement costs even further. These cost advantages have helped companies capture more markets, particularly in those regions where the consumption of charcoal is on the rise, and where the importation cost for charcoal is critical.

Government Support and Export-Friendly Industrial Policy

As per the Vietnam charcoal market analysis, policy measures, including tax incentives, land access, and technical training, are providing support to the authorities in promoting agro-forestry exports including charcoal. The EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) is reducing tariffs on charcoal exports, thus improving the price competitiveness of Vietnamese products targeting the premium markets. In addition, local governments in regions like the Mekong Delta and Southcentral Coast are actively supporting the improvements of technologies and environmental compliances. This ecosystem is becoming more policy-driven, thus strengthening investor confidence and helping smaller producers scale in a sustainable manner.

Trends in the Vietnam Charcoal market

Eco-certification for Export-Led Growth

Vietnamese farmers are getting certifications such as FSC and REACH compliance to put their products into premium markets in Europe and the United States, fueling the Vietnam charcoal market value. These certifications are proof of their sustainability sourcing and low emissions, thus enhancing their credibility with retailers and institutional buyers. Companies like Vinachak are putting these certifications at the core of their exporting strategy, especially in Germany and France.

Tech-Driven Processing of Charcoal

The carbonization kilns are being modernized from traditional earth kilns to retort systems, practically increasing the yield, reducing the smoke, and cutting down the emissions. This particular charcoal market trend in Vietnam is fundamentally driven by environmental concerns and the improvement of product quality. Firms working with modern carbonization methods are able to produce high-quality uniform and better-calorific barbeque and industrial charcoal.

Vietnam Charcoal Market Share

By Product, Structured Charcoal Briquettes Register the Largest Share of the Market

Structured charcoal briquettes hold the largest market share in the Vietnam charcoal market due to their cost-efficiency, high calorific value, and ease of transport. Structured charcoal briquettes are compressed, uniform blocks that are widely used for cooking and heating. They offer consistent burn time, easy ignition, and clean handling, making them a favorite for both domestic and commercial use. Their popularity in European BBQ markets and among Middle Eastern shisha lounges keeps demand steady year-round.

As per the Vietnam charcoal market analysis, lump charcoal is projected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. Lump charcoal is made from hardwood pieces carbonized without additives. It burns hotter and faster than briquettes and is favored by grill masters and restaurants for its natural aroma and performance. Rising demand from premium BBQ markets in the United States, Australia, and South Korea, where customers prioritize purity and high heat - fuels this growth.

By Application, Barbeque Accounts for the Largest Share in the Market

Barbeque is the largest consumer application. From home-use briquettes to restaurant-grade lump charcoal, the segment is highly export-driven and linked closely to seasonal demand trends in the EU and Middle East. This segment growth is supported by growing global culinary interest in Asian-style grilling and natural charcoal use.

Activated charcoal from Vietnam is increasingly used in water and air purification systems. It is derived from hardwood or from coconut shells and processed into high-surface-area carbon. Filtration applications are growing at the fastest CAGR, driven by demand for eco-friendly purification materials in Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Vietnam's coconut shell-based activated charcoal is gaining popularity due to its high efficiency and availability.

Vietnam Charcoal Market Regional Analysis

By Region, the Southeast Vietnam Dominates the Market

The Southeast charcoal market growth is supported by the highest concentration of production units, benefiting from mature supply chains, wood processing clusters, and skilled labor. Provinces like Binh Duong and Dong Nai house many top producers with access to both local and imported raw materials. Proximity to Ho Chi Minh City’s port also enables smooth exports.

The Mekong Delta is shaping up fast to be a key charcoal market in Vietnam, particularly for coconut shell briquettes. The two provinces of Ben Tre and Tra Vinh are seeing new factories focusing on eco-friendly production methods and exports to South Korea and the United Arab Emirates. Support from local government for agro-industrial exports has accelerated infrastructure investment in the region.

Competitive Landscape

The Vietnam charcoal market players are increasingly aligning themselves with emerging global trends in sustainability. For them, certification through FSC and ISO is now becoming the norm. To remain competitive, companies are optimizing their kilns, making investments in reforestation, and improving waste management practices. Most of the players are export-oriented, many with dedicated international sales teams and logistics partners.

Most of the Vietnam charcoal companies are developing sub-brands for different markets- one for high-end Binchotan, another for mass-market BBQ charcoal. Co-branding with global BBQ equipment brands and restaurant chains intensifies in bringing more credibility.

Vinachaki

Established in 2003 and headquartered in Ho Chi Minh City, Vinachaki leads the premium charcoal segment, especially in Japan and the EU. It focuses on FSC-certified products, QR-code traceability, and eco-friendly packaging. Central to the successful branding and sustainability of the company is its export domination.

PNP Charcoal

Established in 2015, PNP Charcoal has made a mark through a pioneer retort kiln mechanism and ISO-certified facilities. The company targets industrial buyers while running energy-use-efficient systems for emissions reduction. PNP has diversified into activated charcoal for filtration and is expanding into the Middle East.

Troung Thinh Charcoal

Troung Thinh Charcoal is based in Da Nang and was established in 2007. The company’s customized products are mainly supplied for private label clients and spread across Europe and Northern America. With flexible packaging lines and multilingual export capability, this firm has become a go-to partner for BBQ brands seeking contract manufacturing.

Viet Charcoal

Viet Charcoal is a Hanoi-based company. They now offer digital B2B outreach into small and mid-sized distributors around the world, selling directly to the end users. It has promoted itself through e-commerce and Google Ads to increase visibility. The company now exports both lump and briquetted charcoal to more than 20 countries.

Other players in the Vietnam charcoal market include Vietnam Charcoal, Viet Son HN Company Ltd, The Charcoal Co, GREENLIFE ASIA JSC, and AN NAM PRODUCTION & TRADING CO.,LTD, among others.

• Recent Developments

November 2024

PT Sumber Global Energy Tbk (SGER), a coal mining business, has signed a deal to provide 500,000 metric tons (MT) of coal to Vietnam. The agreement was reached between Power Generation Corporation (PGC), the buyer, and Duyen Hai Thermal Power Company (DHTP), the seller representative. The coals' net caloric value is estimated at 4,600 kcal/kg.

August 2024

Taiwan Paiho created the novel BamCoalTex material in partnership with Taiwan's Material Chemical and Research Laboratories (ITRI). The porous structure is intended to keep the body's heat within the fiber gaps in outdoor clothing such as ski jackets, hiking boots, and sleeping bags.

July 2024

PT Delta Dunia Makmur Tbk has acquired Atlantic Carbon Group, Inc. (ACG) for USD 122.4 million. This acquisition acquires control of four producing Ultra-High-Grade (UHG) anthracite mines in Pennsylvania (USA), establishing Delta Dunia Group as a key player in the worldwide UHG anthracite market.

November 2023

AES Corp. (AES.N) is in talks to sell its controlling ownership in one of Vietnam's largest coal-fired power facilities as part of its global aim to divest coal assets by the end of 2025.

Market Outlook: 2025-2034

The Vietnam charcoal market expansion is fueled by international demand for sustainable fuel alternatives and the country's increasing manufacturing efficiency. Export volumes are expected to reach double by 2030 as Europe and the Middle East remain the key international markets. Premium product lines, digital B2B platforms, and ESG-compliant sources are expected to define the future of the industry.

Why This Report?

The Vietnam Charcoal Market Report and Forecast 2025-2034 delivers a thorough and strategic analysis, offering key insights into:

• Market size, share, and growth forecasts, with a special focus on regional dynamics across Southeast, Red River Delta, Mekong River Delta, South Central Coast, and others, highlighting investment hotspots and production clusters.
• In-depth SWOT and Porter’s Five Forces analyses to examine the competitive landscape, supplier and buyer dynamics, new entrants, and the bargaining power of players within the Vietnam charcoal ecosystem.
• Insights into key demand and price indicators, such as the impact of procurement policies, offset obligations, indigenization mandates, and international collaborations on pricing and investment trends.

Actionable recommendations for stakeholders, include expanding sustainable sourcing, investing in eco-friendly production, building export partnerships, enhancing quality control, targeting premium markets, leveraging digital marketing, training local producers, and monitoring global regulations continuously.

This report equips government bodies, industry leaders, investors, and innovators with the data and foresight needed to navigate Vietnam’s charcoal landscape, seize new opportunities, and build resilience against market shifts. Stay ahead with Expert Market Research’s trusted intelligence and forecasts.