Coniferous wood fuel market in Czechia

Earlier Report Observations

The coniferous wood fuel market in Czechia expanded significantly from 3 475 thousand m³ in 2018 to 5 958 thousand m³ in 2020. This surge was primarily driven by an energy crisis that dramatically increased gas and electricity prices, leading many households to switch to wood as a cheaper heating alternative. The state enterprise Lesy ČR, managing nearly half of the country's forests, played a central role in supplying the market, while the entry of new local sellers and the adoption of modern automated production lines, such as those by Woodtrading, helped meet the rising demand.

Market volume then contracted over the next three years, falling to 2 187 thousand m³ by 2023. Limited supply, a legacy of the bark beetle calamity, combined with soaring production and distribution costs—which pushed prices for coniferous fuel wood up by over 100% in 2021—restricted available volumes. Concurrently, consumer preferences began shifting toward hard deciduous woods like oak and beech due to their higher calorific value, reducing the share of coniferous fuel. Legislative developments, including a forthcoming ban on burning garden waste from March 2025, also began influencing market expectations during this period.

For 2024 and 2025, key market factors include concrete regulatory changes: a ban on burning biological waste takes effect in March 2025, and fuel wood has been exempted from the upcoming ETS II carbon pricing scheme from 2027, ensuring its price stability as a renewable heat source. The state enterprise Lesy ČR continues to focus on bark beetle wood harvesting and forest restoration, supported by a government measure that reduced VAT on fuel wood to 10%.

Production coniferous wood fuel in Czechia

In kind, 2018-2021, K m³

From 2018 to 2021, Czechia held the 11th position globally in the production of coniferous wood fuel.

Top producers of coniferous wood fuel, 2018-2021

World map of production of coniferous wood fuel, 2018-2021

Following two years of growth, coniferous wood fuel production in Czechia experienced a decline. In 2021, production reached 4 463 K m³, representing a year-over-year decrease of 27.9%. Over the 2018-2021 period, overall production increased by 24%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.4%. The peak production occurred in 2020 at 6 186 K m³, while the largest annual increase was recorded in 2019 at 49.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Czechia in kind, 2018-2021, K m³

Exports coniferous wood fuel from Czechia

Exports in kind, K m³

After two consecutive years of decline, Czechia's exports of coniferous wood fuel rebounded. In 2021, exports totaled 377.6 K m³, marking a significant increase of 14.5% compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports decreased by 10.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.6%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 329.7 K m³, which also saw the largest annual decline of 15.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Czechia in kind, 2018-2021, K m³

From 2018 to 2021, the main destinations for Czechia's coniferous wood fuel exports in volume terms were Germany (36.2% of exports), Austria (35.8%), and Poland (14.4%). Together, these three countries accounted for 86.5% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Czechia in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year downturn, Czechia's export value of coniferous wood fuel showed recovery. In 2021, exports amounted to 17 474 K US dollars, reflecting a substantial increase of 52.7% compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, export value decreased by 8.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 11 447 K US dollars, which also experienced the largest annual decline of 28.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Czechia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, the primary buyers of Czechia's coniferous wood fuel in value terms were Austria (35.9% of exports), Germany (32.3%), and Slovakia (13.3%). Collectively, these three countries represented 81.5% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Czechia in value, 2018-2021

Imports coniferous wood fuel to Czechia

Imports in kind, K m³

Czechia's imports of coniferous wood fuel declined for the second year in a row. In 2021, imports stood at 72.3 K m³, indicating a sharp year-over-year fall of 28.6%. Between 2018 and 2021, imports decreased by 75.6%, equating to an annualized rate of -37.5%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 303.8 K m³, which also saw the largest annual increase of 2.5%. The largest annual decline occurred in 2020 at 66.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Czechia in kind, 2018-2021, K m³

From 2018 to 2021, the leading sources for Czechia's coniferous wood fuel imports in volume terms were Poland (50.1% of imports), Germany (25.8%), and Slovakia (18.1%). These three countries together accounted for 94.0% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Czechia in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

The import market demonstrated volatility during the observed period. Imports peaked in 2019 and reached their lowest point in 2020, with a 3.4-fold difference between these years. In 2021, cross-border shipments of coniferous wood fuel to Czechia amounted to 3 791 K US dollars, representing a modest increase of 2.5% compared to the prior year. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 3 698 K US dollars, while the maximum occurred in 2019 at 12 425 K US dollars. The largest annual decline was in 2020 at 70.2%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 3.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Czechia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, the main sources for Czechia's coniferous wood fuel imports in value terms were Poland (50.7% of imports), Germany (23.8%), and Slovakia (16.3%). Together, these three countries represented 90.9% of total import value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Czechia in value, 2018-2021