Coniferous wood fuel market in Europe

Earlier Report Observations

Coniferous wood fuel production in Europe began the period at 68,330 thousand m³ in 2018, then declined over the next three years to 62,738 thousand m³ in 2021, before recovering to 64,625 thousand m³ in 2022 and dropping again to 62,546 thousand m³ in 2023. Market size, available from 2020, mirrored this volatility, falling from 63,831 thousand m³ in 2020 to 62,238 thousand m³ in 2021, rising to 63,987 thousand m³ in 2022, and contracting to 59,619 thousand m³ in 2023. The market's transparency was enhanced in 2018 by the publication of the first official wood-energy price index by CIBE, providing a new reference for pricing.

The 2022 rebound in both production and market size was driven by the energy crisis following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which sharply increased pellet prices and boosted European demand for wood-based fuels as an alternative to gas and electricity. In contrast, 2023 saw a clear contraction linked to weaker construction activity and a reduction in building permits, which diminished demand for coniferous wood fuel in key sectors.

In 2024, the French government's 30% cut in financial aid for wood-fuel heating installations from April 1 directly affected demand for wood-fuel devices, while the pellet market showed price stability after the earlier surge, with average prices around €356 per tonne. These developments occurred alongside a growing regulatory focus on environmental certification, influencing purchasing decisions across the market.

Production coniferous wood fuel in Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Top producers of coniferous wood fuel, 2017-2020

World map of production of coniferous wood fuel, 2017-2020

Europe's production of coniferous wood fuel declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, production reached 63 406 K m³, showing minimal change from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 2.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.9%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 68 330 K m³, which represented a 10.7% increase from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 6.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Europe in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Exports coniferous wood fuel from Europe

Exports in kind, K m³

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 969 K m³, then peaked in 2020 at 3 494 K m³, representing a 3.6-fold increase between these years. In 2020, exports surged by 260.6% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, when exports fell by 14.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Europe in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

From 2017 to 2020, Norway, Japan, and Switzerland were the main markets for coniferous wood fuel exports in volume terms. Norway accounted for 1.7% of exports, Japan for 1.0%, and Switzerland for 0.9%. Together, these three countries represented 3.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Europe's coniferous wood fuel exports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports stood at 630.9 million US dollars, down 1.1% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 24.6%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 7.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 639.8 million US dollars, which marked a 26.3% increase from the year before.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Norway, Switzerland, and Japan made the largest contributions to coniferous wood fuel exports in value terms. Norway accounted for 2.6% of exports, Switzerland for 1.3%, and Japan for 1.0%. Collectively, these three countries represented 4.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports coniferous wood fuel to Europe

Imports in kind, K m³

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. Imports bottomed in 2019 at 742 K m³, then peaked in 2020 at 3 919 K m³, showing a 5.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports increased sharply by 428.2% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2018, when imports fell by 15.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Europe in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Throughout 2017-2020, Norway remained the principal supplier of coniferous wood fuel to Europe, accounting for 3.8% of total imports in volume terms.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Europe's imports of coniferous wood fuel declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 627.5 million US dollars, representing a 12.6% reduction from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 3%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 1.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 761.9 million US dollars, which was a 25.1% increase from the year before.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Norway was the single largest supplier of coniferous wood fuel to Europe, accounting for 2.7% of total imports in value terms.

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

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