Egypt's production of charcoal makes up 3 percent of the world's output, which makes the country among the top ten charcoal producers worldwide, an official from the Ministry of Environment said on Thursday.

Egypt exports 30,000 tonnes of charcoal annually, with Saudi Arabia as the top importer followed by the Netherlands and Finland, said Mohamed Farouk, head of the Ministry's charcoal unit.

Farouk was speaking at a workshop, organized by the Ministry of Environment and the Berlin-based Friedrich Ebert Foundation, on the role of media in promoting public awareness about environmental issues.

He said the Ministry of Environment has put the number of nationwide charcoal producers at around 5,000, with most operating in the governorates of Qalubiya, Beheira, Sharqiya and Gharbiya.

Farouk said the ministry has adopted a plan to develop more charcoal factories which use advanced kilns in order to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, while also moving charcoal production away from densely-populated areas.

*This story has been edited by Ahram Online