Coniferous wood fuel market in Poland

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, the coniferous wood fuel market in Poland expanded from 4.2 million cubic meters to 4.7 million cubic meters. This growth was driven by a significant increase in wood fuel production across the European Union, with Poland recording the highest growth rate among EU countries. The rising share of wood fuel in roundwood production as a renewable energy source further supported market expansion. After peaking in 2019, the market volume declined over the next two years, falling to 4.4 million cubic meters in 2020 and 3.8 million cubic meters in 2021. The decrease in 2021 coincided with higher wood fuel prices, which were linked to rising costs of fossil fuels and energy.

The market rebounded sharply in 2022, reaching 4.5 million cubic meters, as Poland maintained its position as a major producer and exporter of wood fuel and pellets. However, in 2023 the volume dropped again to 4.0 million cubic meters, partly due to a mild winter across Europe that reduced heating fuel demand. During this period, government subsidy programs for replacing heating systems with pellet and wood fuel boilers, aligned with the EU's REDII+ directive, began to influence the market. By 2024, new FSC certification standards came into force, and wood fuel prices continued to climb, while quality concerns about pellets highlighted the need for better labeling and control.

Production coniferous wood fuel in Poland

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Globally, Poland ranked as the 20th 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

Poland's production of coniferous wood fuel declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 2 297 K m³, marking an 8.3% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 11.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.1%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 2 686 K m³, which also saw the largest annual increase of 3.0%.

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

Exports coniferous wood fuel from Poland

Exports in kind, K m³

In 2020, Poland exported 172 K m³ of coniferous wood fuel, a 3.0% increase from the year before. However, over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 41.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -16.5%. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 167 K m³, while the peak occurred in 2018 with 386 K m³. The most significant decline was in 2019 at 56.8%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 30.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Lithuania, and Denmark were the primary buyers of coniferous wood fuel from Poland, accounting for 83.8% of total exports in volume. Germany led with 60.7%, followed by Lithuania at 16.6%, and Denmark at 6.5%.

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 market showed an unstable trend over this period. Exports in value terms peaked in 2018 and dropped to their lowest in 2020, with a 4.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Poland's coniferous wood fuel export value was 6 423 K US dollars, down 28.0% from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 28 562 K US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 68.7%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 97.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, Lithuania, and Denmark were the largest buyers of coniferous wood fuel from Poland in value terms, together making up 72.2% of total exports. Germany accounted for 57.6%, Lithuania for 8.3%, and Denmark for 6.2%.

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 wood fuel to Poland

Imports in kind, K m³

After two years of growth, Poland's imports of coniferous wood fuel declined. In 2020, the country imported 2 274 K m³, a slight decrease of 1.7% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 83.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 22.3%. The highest import volume was in 2019 at 2 313 K m³, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 56.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, coniferous wood fuel imports to Poland were almost entirely supplied by Belarus, which accounted for 91.0% of total imports in volume.

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

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout this timeframe. Imports in value terms reached their peak in 2019 and their lowest point in 2017, with a 2.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Poland's import value for coniferous wood fuel was 42 412 K US dollars, a 12.8% decrease from 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 48 654 K US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 99.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Belarus dominated Poland's coniferous wood fuel imports in value terms, accounting for 86.8% of the total, while the remaining flows were distributed among various smaller partners.

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

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