Fuel wood in chips and particles market in Eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fuel wood in chips and particles in Eastern Asia showed a volatile trajectory from 2018 to 2023. Consumption contracted from 59.9 million tons in 2018 to a low of 56.6 million tons in 2020, then recovered strongly to surpass 63.4 million tons in 2022, before declining again to 59.6 million tons in 2023.

Market growth in 2021 and 2022 was supported by a broader increase in wood utilization across the economy and a rising dependence on imported wood chips to meet demand. The subsequent contraction in 2023 aligned with a sustained decline in domestic timber demand, primarily driven by a downturn in the construction sector which reduced consumption.

Structural industry shifts included a persistent decline in domestic roundwood harvests, intensifying competition for raw materials. By 2024, the expansion of FIT/FIP-certified wood biomass power plants established a steady annual growth trend in fuel wood use for energy, even as reported domestic wood chip production fell by 13% that year.

Production fuel wood in chips and particles in Eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

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

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

Eastern Asia's production of fuel wood in chips and particles has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 32 870 K t, which represents a slight decrease of 0.8% compared to 2019. Production peaked in 2018 at 33 723 K t, with the largest annual increase of 0.6% recorded that year. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, when production fell by 1.7%.

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

Exports fuel wood in chips and particles from Eastern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports bottomed out in 2018 at 1 K t and peaked in 2020 at 3 K t, representing a 6.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, shipments from Eastern Asia surged by 500.7% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2018, when exports fell by 65.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, fuel wood in chips and particles from Eastern Asia was exported to numerous countries. Even the top three destinations—Thailand, Switzerland, and Australia—collectively accounted for only 15.9% of total exports in volume.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 0.4 M $ US and peaked in 2020 at 1 M $ US, showing a 3.4-fold increase. In 2020, the value of deliveries from Eastern Asia jumped by 240.7% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 47.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States, Australia, and Vietnam formed the main cluster of markets for exports in value terms. The United States accounted for 24.9% of exports, Australia for 17.7%, and Vietnam for 8.8%, together making up 51.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports fuel wood in chips and particles to Eastern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

Imports of fuel wood in chips and particles into Eastern Asia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 23 777 K t, marking a modest decrease of 7.4% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 2.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -0.9%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 26 215 K t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 7.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—Vietnam, Australia, and Chile—together absorbed 76.3% of total imports in volume of fuel wood in chips and particles into Eastern Asia.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, the value of fuel wood in chips and particles imports into Eastern Asia declined. In 2020, import value reached 4 083 M $ US, down by 16.0% from 2019. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 4 863 M $ US, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 13.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Throughout 2017-2020, Vietnam, Australia, and Chile remained the primary markets for imports in value terms. Vietnam accounted for 34.8% of imports, Australia for 27.0%, and Chile for 13.6%, collectively representing 75.5% of total import flows.

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

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