Analysis of the woodfuels market: A survey of fuelwood sellers and charcoal makers in the province of Ilocos Norte, Philippines

Abstract

A survey of fuelwood sellers and commercial charcoal makers was conducted in the wood-scarce province of Ilocos Norte in the Philippines as part of a study of rural energy consumption and policies. The woodfuels market is small-scale and dispersed; many of its participants are involved in this occupation seasonally or part time. Fuelwood is sold in many non-standard units of measure. Retail prices vary according to location, volume of sale, responsibility for delivery and special relationships between the seller and buyer. Nearly half of the sellers grow their own wood, while one-sixth are middlemen and a few collect wood for free. In contrast to household collection of fuelwood which is often a task for adult females and children, commercial cutting and transport of fuelwood is usually handled by adult males. A government project for the production of dendrothermal electricity from fast-growing wood plantations may cause disruptions in the fuelwood market if the associated plantations are unsuccessful. Charcoal is unimportant as a marketed fuel in the area but this is expected to change after construction of two government pig iron blast furnaces to be operated with charcoal as the fuel. The pig iron project would require improvements in the efficiency of charcoal production and the quality of the output.