Coniferous fuel wood in chips and particles market in Poland

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market for coniferous fuel wood in chips and particles in Poland saw a gradual contraction, with volume dropping from 2.59 million tons to 2.46 million tons and value declining from $117.3 million to $102.4 million. Production also fell during this period, while overall wood harvest in the country remained around 39 million cubic meters annually, providing a stable but unspecific background for the fuel wood segment.

A sharper downturn began in 2021, partly linked to rising European demand for softwood lumber that diverted raw material away from fuel wood production. This was followed in 2022 by two major shocks: EU sanctions banning imports of wood from Belarus and Russia—Poland’s largest fuel wood supplier—and a decision by State Forests to limit the retail fuel wood pool for individual consumers to about 3.9 million cubic meters due to lower harvests and allocations to power plants.

Supply constraints persisted through 2023 and 2024, leading to further import declines. Continued reductions in wood-based panel and sawnwood production signaled ongoing raw material tightness, while growing exports of wood raw material from Poland likely reduced domestic availability for fuel wood, sustaining the market's contraction.

Production coniferous fuel wood in chips and particles in Poland

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Poland's production of coniferous fuel wood in chips and particles declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 67 657 thousand US dollars, marking a modest decrease of 6.4% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 5.2%, with an average annual decline of 1.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 86 660 thousand US dollars, which represented a significant increase of 21.4% from the prior year. However, the largest decline occurred in 2019, when production dropped by 16.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Poland in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Poland's production of coniferous fuel wood in chips and particles fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 1 121 thousand tonnes, showing a moderate contraction of 4.8% from the year before. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 10.7%, with an average annual decline of 3.7%. The peak was reached in 2018 with 1 510 thousand tonnes, reflecting a substantial increase of 20.3% from 2017. The sharpest drop occurred in 2019, when production fell by 22.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Poland in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports coniferous fuel wood in chips and particles from Poland

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Poland's exports of coniferous fuel wood in chips and particles reached 112 thousand tonnes, representing a 3.0% increase over the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 5.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.9%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 149 thousand tonnes, which marked a significant rise of 41.5% from 2017. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when exports fell by 27.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Poland in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Lithuania, and Denmark were the main buyers of coniferous fuel wood in chips and particles from Poland. Germany accounted for 52.8% of exports in kind, Lithuania for 23.2%, and Denmark for 8.5%. Together, these three countries represented 84.5% of Poland's total exports in this category.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Poland in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 2.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, shipments from Poland were valued at 6 423 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp decline of 28.0% compared to the prior year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 13 001 thousand US dollars, which represented a dramatic increase of 108.1% from 2017. The largest drop occurred in 2019, when exports fell by 31.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Poland in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—Germany, Lithuania, and Denmark—collectively accounted for 76.3% of the total export value of coniferous fuel wood in chips and particles from Poland.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Poland in value, 2017-2020

Imports coniferous fuel wood in chips and particles to Poland

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, Poland's imports of coniferous fuel wood in chips and particles declined. In 2020, import volume stood at 1 450 thousand tonnes, showing a modest decrease of 3.6% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 84.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 22.7%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 504 thousand tonnes. The largest increase occurred in 2018, when imports surged by 56.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Poland in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, coniferous fuel wood in chips and particles imported into Poland came primarily from Belarus, which accounted for 92.6% of total imports in kind.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Poland in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 2.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Poland's imports amounted to 41 179 thousand US dollars, indicating a decline of 15.4% versus the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 48 654 thousand US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2018, when imports rose by 103.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Poland in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Belarus remained the key source for coniferous fuel wood in chips and particles to Poland, accounting for 89.7% of total imports in value terms. Other destinations played a much smaller role.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Poland in value, 2017-2020