Coniferous wood fuel market in Switzerland

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for coniferous wood fuel in Switzerland increased from 866 thousand m³ in 2018 to over 1 million m³ in 2023. Initial growth was supported by the 2018 National Biomass Mobilization Strategy, which prioritized sustainable wood fuel use, and a communication note from CIBE that improved price transparency and contracting. In 2019, the selection of 13 wood energy projects with 20-year guaranteed top-up contracts further stimulated sector investment, while by 2020 cultural and political shifts toward renewables steadily raised wood fuel's share in the timber mix.

After stabilizing in 2021, market expansion resumed in 2022 and 2023. An inflationary economic context and tight market conditions boosted demand for wood fuel as a cost-effective energy alternative, evidenced by a reported 6% increase in wood energy volume in the Occitania region. In 2023, heavy rainfall hampered timber harvesting, yet domestic wood fuel demand remained resilient, and the National Forestry Office observed rising demand and prices in several regions, linked to broader supply-demand dynamics.

Entering 2024, the sector continued to be driven by the energy transition and consumer preference for sustainable materials. Average firewood prices rose by 20% between 2022 and 2024, largely due to higher demand as fossil fuel costs surged. While the long-term outlook remains positive, a 30% reduction in state support for domestic wood heating appliance installations from April 2024 introduced a new factor for the household segment.

Production coniferous wood fuel in Switzerland

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Top producers of coniferous wood fuel, 2017-2020

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

Switzerland's coniferous wood fuel production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 810.1 K m³ of coniferous wood fuel, reflecting a modest gain of 9.1% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 47.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.8%.

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

Exports coniferous wood fuel from Switzerland

Exports in kind, K m³

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports varied significantly, with a 1.9-fold difference between the high in 2018 and the low in 2020. In 2020, Switzerland exported 12.6 K m³ of coniferous wood fuel, representing a robust decrease of 13.1% from 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 24.1 K m³. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 40.2%, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a rise of 70.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading destinations for Switzerland's coniferous wood fuel exports in kind were Italy, accounting for 39.9% of exports, Germany at 35.0%, and Austria with 16.9%. Together, these three countries accounted for 91.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Import levels fluctuated, with a two-fold difference between the high in 2018 and the low in 2019. In 2020, Switzerland exported 443 K $ US of coniferous wood fuel, equivalent to a rise of 38.8% relative to the prior year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 319 K $ US, while the maximum was in 2018 at 642 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 50.3%, and the largest increase was in 2018, with a rise of 85.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Germany, and Austria continued to head the list of buyers of coniferous wood fuel from Switzerland in value terms. Italy accounted for 51.3% of exports, Germany for 20.7%, and Austria for 16.9%. Collectively, these three countries took 88.8% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports coniferous wood fuel to Switzerland

Imports in kind, K m³

After a two-year decrease, Switzerland's coniferous wood fuel import volume increased. In 2020, import volume totalled 168.5 K m³, marking a modest uptick of 5.7% from a year earlier. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 34.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.4%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 159.4 K m³, and the largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 24.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany and France jointly absorbed 97.2% of total imports in kind of coniferous wood fuel to Switzerland, with the rest of the volume scattered across smaller markets.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Switzerland's volume of coniferous wood fuel imports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 8 032 K $ US, indicating a drop of 8.6% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 34%, equating to an annualized rate of 12.9%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Germany and France concentrated the majority of imports in value terms of coniferous wood fuel to Switzerland, whereas other markets formed a less significant perimeter.

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

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