KUWAIT CITY, Jan 4: With the return of winter, colder temperatures, and the camping season, and after years of stagnation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent events, the charcoal market has made a strong comeback this year, with sales rising by more than 75 percent. Lighting a campfire is regarded as one of the most important sources of warmth, especially in camps and desert gatherings. In an effort to highlight demand levels and pricing, a tour of the charcoal market in Shuwaikh was carried out.

According to Ali Mohammed, a vendor, Kuwait is a country of seasons, and many goods are seasonal in nature. He has worked in the charcoal market for 28 years and has never witnessed a recession like the one experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic and the years that followed, largely due to stricter camping permit regulations. Previous years saw relatively mild winters, while this year, demand for charcoal has increased significantly because of the sudden drop in temperatures. He revealed that African charcoal is the most popular type due to its reasonable price, quick ignition, and high quality. Vendor Jawad Hussein said, “We work year-round, relying on restaurant and café owners, but demand rises in winter due to the cold and camping. The charcoal market is affected by all internal and external events. Prices have remained stable for the past 10 years, changing only slightly despite rising costs and storage fees. Charcoal is preferred over wood because it lights quickly and produces less smoke.” Fayez Al-Shammari, who owns a family camp and a youth camp in northern Kuwait, said he visits the charcoal market weekly to buy charcoal and wood. He affirmed that winter and camping are incomplete without a campfire and that they prefer charcoal for heating, even at a higher cost.

Manea Al-Mutairi revealed that he buys ten bags of charcoal, each weighing 10 kilograms, every ten days for heating, coffee, and tea. He noted that although heating methods have evolved, camping in the desert is incomplete without a fire, adding that charcoal prices have risen slightly due to a decrease in the number of shops, which used to number more than 20. Young Salman Talal Al-Saadi said, “I came with my family to buy camping supplies, especially charcoal. We need it at our campsite and use African charcoal for heating, grilling, and making tea and coffee. I see camping trips as an opportunity for family and friends to gather.” Abdullah Al-Tamimi stated that the annual cost of buying charcoal for his campsite ranges from KD 150 to KD 200.

Charcoal prices have not changed in four years and have even decreased. He added, “How wonderful it is to gather with family around a charcoal fire, enjoying tea and coffee. May God protect our country.” Vendor Abdulwahab Mohammed also noted that winter is a season of joy in Kuwait, and for them, it brings double the happiness. He explained that in summer, their sales are mostly limited to cafes and a few restaurants, but in winter, the situation changes. Charcoal sales range from 150 to 250 sacks per day, and they look forward to the arrival of the cold season, even if it comes late. He said, “The most popular type of charcoal is African, followed by Vietnamese and Thai, as they produce little smoke and burn easily. Next are Paraguayan and Indonesian charcoal.

A 15-kilogram sack costs KD 6. Customers also prefer ‘Naqwa’ charcoal, which we collect ourselves and sell for half a dinar more than regular charcoal.” Seller Rajab Muhammad said he has been working in the charcoal market for 20 years. He described the work as tiring, with low profits that depend on the winter season, as the colder and rainier the weather, the higher the demand. He noted that charcoal prices have remained unchanged for many years, and customers are familiar with them, adding that residents typically buy small amounts for camping trips, while citizens purchase larger quantities to store.