Coniferous wood fuel market in France

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, the coniferous wood fuel market in France contracted sharply from 4 908 thousand m³ to 2 006 thousand m³, largely due to a steep drop in imports. The spruce bark beetle crisis in 2018 created a temporary oversupply of lower-quality coniferous wood, increasing the raw material available for fuel. In 2019, the end of this crisis led to a 22% reduction in the mobilization of white coniferous wood, tightening domestic supply. Concurrently, CRE 5 tenders stimulated the development of new wood energy installations, supporting demand.

After the decline, the market recovered to 2 407 thousand m³ in 2020 and reached 2 755 thousand m³ in 2021. The 2022 energy crisis, driven by shortages of gas and electricity, boosted demand for wood fuel as an alternative energy source. However, rising prices for wood pellets due to high energy costs and limited availability of coniferous sawdust restrained market volumes, which fell to 2 491 thousand m³. Major wildfires in the Landes also affected forest resources.

In 2023, pellet consumption stabilized following the price peak, while mobilization of maritime pine increased due to the previous year's fires, providing additional feedstock. Energy-efficient home renovations continued to underpin demand, though the market volume edged down to 2 376 thousand m³. Into 2024, persistently high electricity prices encouraged the use of wood fuel, except for pellets whose demand weakened due to elevated costs.

Production coniferous wood fuel in France

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

France was among the world's leading producers of coniferous wood fuel from 2017 to 2020, ranking 22nd globally by production volume during this period.

Top producers of coniferous wood fuel, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, France produced 2 332 K m³ of coniferous wood fuel, marking a 3.6% decline compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 6.3%, with an annualized rate of 2.2%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 0.2%.

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

Exports coniferous wood fuel from France

Exports in kind, K m³

In 2020, France's exports of coniferous wood fuel amounted to 571.8 K m³, showing a significant 17.5% drop from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 26.2%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 9.6%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 542.9 K m³. The largest decrease occurred in 2018, at 29.9%, while the largest increase was in 2019, at 27.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for France's coniferous wood fuel exports in volume terms were Belgium, Germany, and Switzerland, collectively accounting for 90.2% of total exports.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

France's coniferous wood fuel exports declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, with export value reaching 22 219 K US dollars, a sharp 18.6% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 18.9%, translating to an annualized rate of 6.8%. The peak export value was recorded in 2018 at 33 485 K US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 22.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, Germany, and Switzerland were the three main markets for France's coniferous wood fuel exports in value terms, together absorbing 86.6% of total export value.

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

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

Imports coniferous wood fuel to France

Imports in kind, K m³

The import market for coniferous wood fuel in France showed an unstable trend from 2017 to 2020. Imports peaked in 2018 at 3 036.4 K m³ and dropped to their lowest point in 2019 at 280.2 K m³, representing a 10.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports rebounded to 646.6 K m³, a 130.7% increase from 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 90.8%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 265.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain, Belgium, and Germany were the three principal sources for France's coniferous wood fuel imports in volume terms, together making up 83.4% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

France's coniferous wood fuel imports declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, totaling 37 338 K US dollars, a moderate 3.2% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 14.3%, with an annualized rate of 5.0%. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 45 986 K US dollars. The largest decrease occurred in 2019 at 16.1%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 5.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain, Belgium, and Germany were the main sources for France's coniferous wood fuel imports in value terms. Spain accounted for 48.2% of import value, Belgium for 17.5%, and Germany for 12.3%, together representing 78.0% of total import value.

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

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