Coniferous wood fuel market in the United Kingdom

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for coniferous wood fuel in the United Kingdom grew to 2 177 thousand cubic meters in 2019, up from 1 920 thousand cubic meters in 2018. This increase was followed by a contraction in 2020, with the market falling to 2 091 thousand cubic meters.

A more pronounced decline occurred in 2021 and 2022, bringing the market size down to 1 496 thousand cubic meters. During this period, the market was shaped by the UK's position as a major consumer of industrial wood pellets, driven by large biomass power stations like Drax, and by government policies favoring biomass for energy generation. Consumer preferences also shifted towards renewable heating sources. By 2023, the market stabilized at 1 511 thousand cubic meters.

Production coniferous wood fuel in the United Kingdom

In kind, 2018-2021, K m³

Globally, the United Kingdom ranked as the 25th largest producer of coniferous wood fuel between 2018 and 2021.

Top producers of coniferous wood fuel, 2018-2021

World map of production of coniferous wood fuel, 2018-2021

The United Kingdom's production of coniferous wood fuel fell for the second year in a row. In 2021, output reached 1 571 K m³, marking a significant 13.5% drop from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production declined by 15.8%, with an annualized decrease of 5.6%. The highest growth was seen in 2019, at 0.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021, K m³

Exports coniferous wood fuel from the United Kingdom

Exports in kind, K m³

Following two years of decline, the United Kingdom's exports of coniferous wood fuel rebounded. In 2021, exports totaled 126.6 K m³, showing a sharp 50.2% increase from the year before. Between 2018 and 2021, exports fell by 17.7%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 6.3%. The lowest point was in 2020, at 84.3 K m³, with the largest drop of 42.4% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021, K m³

From 2018 to 2021, the top destinations for the United Kingdom's coniferous wood fuel exports in volume terms were Norway (39.5% of exports), Ireland (36.5%), and Hong Kong (8.4%). Together, these three markets accounted for 84.4% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2021, the United Kingdom's coniferous wood fuel exports in value terms amounted to 13 965 K $ US, reflecting an 8.1% gain compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 5.2%, with an annualized increase of 1.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 12 913 K $ US, while the peak was in 2019 at 14 200 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2020, at 9.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, the main buyers of coniferous wood fuel from the United Kingdom in value terms were Ireland (35.6% of exports), Hong Kong (21.6%), and Norway (12.6%). Combined, these three countries made up 69.8% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2021

Imports coniferous wood fuel to the United Kingdom

Imports in kind, K m³

The market showed an unstable trend over this period. Import volumes hit their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2019, with a 2.2-fold difference between these years. In 2021, the United Kingdom imported 264.2 K m³ of coniferous wood fuel, down 26.4% from the previous year. The highest volume was in 2019 at 457.0 K m³, with the largest increase of 120.0% also recorded that year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021, K m³

From 2018 to 2021, the primary sources for the United Kingdom's coniferous wood fuel imports in volume terms were Ireland (33.1% of imports), Estonia (28.6%), and Latvia (13.6%). Together, these three countries supplied 75.3% of total import volumes.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout this timeframe. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2019, with a 1.8-fold gap between these years. In 2021, the value of coniferous wood fuel imports into the United Kingdom was 25 970 K $ US, representing a 23.9% decrease from the previous year. The highest value was in 2019 at 43 891 K $ US, with the largest increase of 81.8% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Throughout 2018-2021, the main markets for the United Kingdom's coniferous wood fuel imports in value terms were Estonia (30.2% of imports), Latvia (28.7%), and Portugal (10.2%). Collectively, these three countries accounted for 69.1% of total import value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2021