Biochar Industry Analysis in Middle East & Africa

Biochar Sales Outlook for Middle East & Africa (2023 to 2033)

Biochar sales in the Middle East & Africa are valued at US$ 235.7 million in 2023 and are forecasted to increase at a phenomenal 10.9% CAGR over the next ten years to reach US$ 660.8 million by 2033-end.

In comparison to the rest of the world, demand for biochar in the Middle East & Africa region is projected to increase at a slower rate, which can be directly attributed to the absence of strong agricultural activity in this region. Availability of arable land in this region is very low as most of the parts of MEA are covered in arid deserts. Growing focus on sustainability and increasing adoption of different carbon sequestration technologies are slated to benefit demand for biochar in the Middle East & Africa over the next ten years. The expansion of farming communities in this region is also forecasted to open up new avenues of opportunities for biochar suppliers in the long run.

Growing investments in research to find more benefits of biochar for the environment in the Middle East & Africa are also slated to bolster biochar demand over the next ten years.

• Researchers at the College of Natural and Health Sciences at Zayed University in Abu Dhabi studied biochar produced from the national tree of the United Arab Emirates called the ghaf tree. They found that the biochar produced from this tree has a higher CO2 adsorption capacity as compared to biochar produced from other sources.
• A total of 252 tons of biochar is projected to be utilized in the Middle East & Africa by the end of 2033.

Report Attributes	Details
Biochar Sales in Middle East & Africa (2023)	US$ 235.7 Million
Projected Sales (2033F)	US$ 660.8 Million
Demand Growth (2023 to 2033)	10.9% CAGR
Sales in Türkiye (2033F)	US$ 80 Million
Sales Growth in North Africa (2023 to 2033)	11.7% CAGR
Biochar Volume in Farming (2033F)	177 Tons
Revenue from Electricity Generation (2033F)	US$ 17 Million
Key Companies Profiled	Biochar Solutions African Biochar Network EcoMENA Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) Technologies EkoChar Desert Control Centre Green Charcoal International Terra Preta Ghana Green Charcoal Africa

Which Key Obstacle Stands in the Way of Biochar Suppliers in MEA?

“Lack of Suitable Geographic Conditions for Agriculture”

Geographic conditions of a majority of countries in the Middle East and Africa region are not favorable for agriculture and this is slated to be the key constraint for biochar companies looking to do business in this region. Adding to the issues for biochar vendors in this region will be the political instability of many countries in this region.

Learn more about growth-augmenting aspects such as local supply, pricing trends, product standards, safety regulations, and new developments in this research study for biochar by skilled analysts at Fact.MR, a market research and competitive intelligence provider.

Country-wise Insights

South Africa and GCC countries are projected to emerge as highly remunerative economies for biochar distributors in the Middle East & Africa throughout the forecast period.

Why are Biochar Sales Rising Fast in South Africa?

“Presence of Diversified Agricultural Activity in the Country”

Attribute	South Africa
Market Value (2023E)	US$ 79.4 Million
Growth Rate (2023 to 2033)	10.2% CAGR
Projected Value (2033F)	US$ 210 Million

Agriculture in South Africa is very market-oriented and diversified as it supports a good chunk of the economic growth of the country. As compared to other African economies, South Africa is very modern and ahead in agriculture thereby making it a highly lucrative space for biochar suppliers in the African region. Increasing adoption of sustainable farming practices and efforts by the South African government to reduce carbon emissions are also forecasted to bolster sales of biochar in the country across the study period.

Should Biochar Companies Invest in GCC Countries?

“Launch of Environment Conservation Plans Will Drive Business Scope”

Attribute	GCC Countries
Market Value (2023E)	US$ 69.4 Million
Growth Rate (2023 to 2033)	11.1% CAGR
Projected Value (2033F)	US$ 199 Million

GCC countries have been launching new initiatives to promote environment conservation and these are forecasted to create an opportune setting for biochar companies going forward. Increasing farming activity in GCC countries and the launch of green initiatives to promote agricultural activity are also set to boost shipments of biochar through 2033.

• In June 2023, Strategic Environmental & Energy Resources Inc. (SEER) announced that it had entered into a formal MoU with ECO Tadweer, a newly formed Saudi entity specializing in environmental project management. The venture is slated to help make Saudi Arabia green and conserve its environment. ECO Tadweer’s current priority is producing biochar with its operating partner Biochar Now.

Category-wise Insights

Biochar vendors in the Middle East & Africa are producing the bulk of biochar using pyrolysis technology to supply it for farming applications as farming activity in the region rises steadily.

Which is the Preferred Technology to Produce Biochar?

“Majority of Biochar Produced in MEA Will Be through Pyrolysis”

Attribute	Pyrolysis
Segment Value (2023E)	US$ 207.2 Million
Growth Rate (2023 to 2033)	10.9% CAGR
Projected Value (2033F)	US$ 581 Million

Pyrolysis technology works on the simple principle of burning biomass and producing biochar through it. It is highly cost-effective and gives consistent results every time, which is why biochar manufacturers are opting for this technology to produce biochar in the Middle East & Africa region. Biochar produced from pyrolysis is also rich in carbon content and has a better overall quality than biochar made from other technologies and methods.

Where Will Most Biochar Produced Be Utilized?

“Farming to Account for Sizeable Biochar Consumption”

Attribute	Farming
Segment Value (2023E)	US$ 165.2 Million
Growth Rate (2023 to 2033)	10.9% CAGR
Projected Value (2033F)	US$ 464 Million

Efforts of Middle Eastern and African countries to improve their food security and reduce reliance on food imports are promoting farming activities in the MEA region. Biochar has proven to be highly effective in farming for places with scarcity of water and unfavorable climates as it allows soil to hold water for longer times. Moreover, biochar fertilizers are also being utilized in farming activities in this region as farmers try to avoid the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

• Rawya Mansour, the founder of Ramsco Trade and Distribution based in Egypt has been revolutionizing the waste sector in the country since 2007. The company uses biochar machines and biofertilizers to recycle agricultural waste and reduce the use of water in farming applications.

Analyst’s Opinion

Countries in the Middle East & African region are focusing on incorporating sustainability in their economies, which is projected to set a lucrative backdrop for biochar companies looking to do business in this region. Efforts to improve the food security of countries in this region are gaining traction and boosting farming activity thereby creating biochar demand along the way. Investments in carbon reduction projects are also slated to create new opportunities for biochar vendors in the MEA region through 2033.

• In July 2023, Offset8 Capital, an asset management company based in Abu Dhabi revealed its plans to raise US$ 250 million for a carbon investment fund to support and finance carbon removal projects in Middle Eastern countries.

Segmentation of Biochar Study in Middle East & Africa

• By Technology :

  • Pyrolysis
  • Gasification
  • Hydrothermal Carbonization

• By Application :

  • Farming
  • Livestock Farming
  • Electricity Generation
  • Others

• By Country :

  • GCC Countries
  • Türkiye
  • South Africa
  • North Africa
  • Rest of the Middle East & Africa