Coniferous wood fuel market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for coniferous wood fuel in Germany declined from 8.32 million m³ in 2018 to 6.95 million m³ in 2020. Initially, the market was supported by rising environmental awareness, which increased demand for ready-to-use fireplace wood, while the availability and lower price of coniferous wood made it an attractive alternative to hardwood.

A sharp rebound followed, with the market expanding to 8.14 million m³ in 2021 and peaking at 9.60 million m³ in 2022. This surge was primarily driven by the energy crisis and the war in Ukraine, which triggered panic buying of firewood as an alternative fuel source. The announced ban on fireplace stoves from 2025 also spurred demand as consumers sought to use existing appliances before the regulation took effect.

In 2023, the market volume contracted to 8.65 million m³, reflecting a normalization of demand after the crisis. Prices remained elevated, and the adoption of new mobile splitting machines improved wood processing efficiency. By 2024, the market was characterized by increased industrial use of coniferous wood in biomass plants and the ongoing influence of the impending stove ban.

Production coniferous wood fuel in Germany

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Globally, Germany ranked as the 7th largest producer of coniferous wood fuel between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of coniferous wood fuel, 2017-2020

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

Germany's production of coniferous wood fuel fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, output reached 8 145 K m³, down 1.3% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production dropped by 6.8%, averaging an annual decline of 2.3%. The highest production level was in 2018 at 8 900 K m³. The sharpest decrease occurred in 2019, with a 7.3% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 1.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of Germany's coniferous wood fuel production decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, production was valued at 362.5 M $ US, a modest decline of 4.9% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 10%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.5%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 415.5 M $ US. The most significant drop was in 2019, at 8.2%, while the largest rise was in 2018, at 3.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports coniferous wood fuel from Germany

Exports in kind, K m³

In 2020, Germany exported 1 585 K m³ of coniferous wood fuel, a slight increase of 1.0% from 2019. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 1 570 K m³, and the highest was in 2018 at 1 633 K m³. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 3.8% decrease, while the biggest increase was also in 2018, at 3.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Austria, Belgium, and France were the top buyers of coniferous wood fuel from Germany, accounting for 40.5%, 18.9%, and 11.6% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, they made up 71.0% of Germany's total exports in this category.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Germany's coniferous wood fuel exports declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 70 537 K $ US, a slight decrease of 2.8% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 2.8%, with an average annual decline of 0.9%. The highest value was in 2018 at 76 208 K $ US. The most significant drop was in 2019, at 4.8%, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 5.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Austria, Belgium, and France were the leading destinations for Germany's coniferous wood fuel exports in value terms, with shares of 40.7%, 16.0%, and 11.5%, respectively. Combined, these three countries accounted for 68.2% of total export value.

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

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

Imports coniferous wood fuel to Germany

Imports in kind, K m³

Germany's imports of coniferous wood fuel fell for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 392 K m³, a sharp decrease of 39.3% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports dropped by 64.1%, with a compound annual decline rate of 29.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland, Czechia, and France were the main sources for Germany's coniferous wood fuel imports in kind, representing 38.3%, 14.9%, and 13.9% of imports, respectively. Together, they contributed 67.1% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Germany's imports of coniferous wood fuel declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 21 473 K $ US, down 30.8% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 59.6%, with an average annual decline of 26.1%. The peak value was in 2018 at 53 925 K $ US. The largest drop occurred in 2019, at 42.5%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, at 1.5%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Poland, Czechia, and Latvia were the key partners for Germany's coniferous wood fuel imports in value terms, with shares of 45.3%, 12.2%, and 10.2%, respectively. Collectively, they accounted for 67.6% of total import value.

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

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