Fuel wood in chips and particles market in Belarus

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, the Belarusian market for fuel wood in chips and particles grew from 1.3 million tons to 3.8 million tons. This expansion was supported by rising global interest in alternative energy sources, particularly wood pellets, spurred by stricter environmental regulations in Europe and Russia. During this period, increased production of wood-based panels in Russia indirectly raised demand for wood chips, while anticipated restrictions on Russian timber exports encouraged Belarusian producers to boost output and capture larger export shares.

A turning point came in 2022 when EU sanctions prohibited timber imports from Russia and Belarus, causing Belarusian exports to plummet from 1.9 million tons in 2021 to 0.5 million tons in 2022 and virtually zero in 2023. With export channels blocked, production was redirected to the domestic market, driving the market volume to 5.3 million tons in 2022 and 5.8 million tons in 2023. Government policies promoting the use of wood pellets in municipal heating systems further bolstered domestic consumption during this period.

Production fuel wood in chips and particles in Belarus

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Belarus maintained the 11th position globally in terms of production volume for fuel wood in chips and particles.

Top producers of fuel wood in chips and particles, 2017-2020

World map of production of fuel wood in chips and particles, 2017-2020

Fuel wood in chips and particles production in Belarus increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, production reached 5 754 K t, reflecting a moderate 6.5% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 110.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 28.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Belarus in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports fuel wood in chips and particles from Belarus

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 2.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Belarus exported 2 960 K t of fuel wood in chips and particles, which is 10.8% lower year-over-year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 3 320 K t, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, at 71.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Belarus in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia consistently remained the main destinations for exports in kind, accounting for 50.4%, 26.0%, and 10.6% of exports, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 87.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. The lowest export value was recorded in 2017, while the highest occurred in 2019, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 2.7 times. In 2020, fuel wood in chips and particles exports from Belarus totalled 73 040 K US dollars, marking a significant decrease of 22.9% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was 94 721 K US dollars in 2019, and the largest increase was 136.7% in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia led as the top buyers of fuel wood in chips and particles from Belarus in value terms, with shares of 49.5%, 26.1%, and 9.7%, respectively. Their combined share reached 85.3% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports fuel wood in chips and particles to Belarus

Imports in kind, K t

Fuel wood in chips and particles imports into Belarus declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 1 K t, down by 6.9% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 68.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 31.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Belarus in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Russia and Poland were the dominant sources for imports in kind, jointly accounting for 93.6% of total import flows, with the remainder coming from other markets.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Fuel wood in chips and particles imports into Belarus declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totalled 274 K US dollars, down by 12.4% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 28.5%, with an annualized rate of 10.6%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 388 K US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 19.5%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 1.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland, Russia, and Germany continued to be the leading suppliers of fuel wood in chips and particles to Belarus in value terms, with shares of 53.8%, 22.9%, and 10.1%, respectively. Together, they accounted for 86.8% of total imports in value terms.

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

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