Coniferous wood fuel market in the United States

Earlier Report Observations

The U.S. coniferous wood fuel market volume grew from 26 851 thousand m³ in 2018 to 32 894 thousand m³ in 2023, with significant fluctuations along the way. The initial expansion in 2018 and 2019 was supported by policy-driven demand shocks from new Renewable Portfolio Standards rules and export incentives, which stimulated consumption. At the same time, increased sawmill activity boosted the supply of wood residues, further supporting market growth.

A sharp contraction occurred in 2020, reducing the market to 22 207 thousand m³, before a strong recovery in 2021 to 28 928 thousand m³. The subsequent period saw continued influence from export incentives and long-term export contracts indexed to international fossil fuel prices, which helped drive market value higher even when physical volume dipped slightly in 2022. Sawmill operating rates remained a critical factor for residue supply throughout the period.

Competition from natural gas prices introduced volatility, affecting wood fuel pricing and demand patterns. Consumer preferences also evolved, with a growing divergence between industrial export segments and residential use. By 2023, the market reached its peak volume for the period, supported by these structural and policy factors.

Production coniferous wood fuel in the United States

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

From 2017 to 2020, the United States ranked second globally in the production of coniferous wood fuel.

Top producers of coniferous wood fuel, 2017-2020

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

The market showed an unstable trend during this period. Production volumes varied significantly, with the lowest point in 2017 and the highest in 2019, representing a 2.7-fold difference. In 2020, the United States produced 26 300 K m³ of coniferous wood fuel, marking a 19.8% decrease compared to the previous year. The peak production was recorded in 2019 at 32 800 K m³, while the largest year-over-year increase occurred in 2018, reaching 165.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United States in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. The lowest value was observed in 2017, and the highest in 2019, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 3.4 times. In 2020, the output of coniferous wood fuel in the United States was valued at 1 187 M $ US, reflecting a 24.9% contraction from 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 1 582 M $ US, and the largest increase took place in 2018, rising by 224.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United States in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports coniferous wood fuel from the United States

Exports in kind, K m³

Coniferous wood fuel exports from the United States declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 4 121 K m³, showing a controlled fall of 8.0% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 20.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 7.5%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2018 at 5 679 K m³. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 21.1%, while the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 9.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Canada and Japan accounted for the majority of coniferous wood fuel exports from the United States in volume terms, with other markets playing a less significant role.

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

World map of product's exports from the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Coniferous wood fuel exports from the United States declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 186.1 M $ US, indicating a substantial reduction of 13.9% compared to the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 7.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.4%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 267.3 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 19.2%, while the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 33.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United States in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Japan and Canada played the leading roles in exports in value terms, together accounting for 84.5% of total flows, with the remaining share distributed among other countries.

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

World map of product's exports from the United States in value, 2017-2020

Imports coniferous wood fuel to the United States

Imports in kind, K m³

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2019, with a 2.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, the volume of coniferous wood fuel imports into the United States amounted to 28 K m³, reflecting an intense decline of 47.9% relative to the prior year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 23 K m³, and the maximum in 2019 at 54 K m³. The largest increase occurred in 2019, rising by 133.4%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Canada (28.7% of imports in volume), Honduras (24.6% of imports in volume), and Mexico (23.8% of imports in volume) played the leading roles in coniferous wood fuel imports to the United States, jointly accounting for 77.1% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Imports varied significantly, with the lowest value in 2017 and the highest in 2019, showing an 11.8-fold difference. In 2020, the United States' volume of coniferous wood fuel imports came to 9.7 M $ US, marking an abrupt drop of 38.7% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 15.8 M $ US, and the largest increase occurred in 2018, rising by 441.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United States in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Honduras (28.1% of imports in value terms), Canada (25.5% of imports in value terms), and Mexico (20.3% of imports in value terms) consistently occupied leading positions in the country structure of imports, jointly accounting for 74.0% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to the United States in value, 2017-2020