Fuel wood in chips and particles market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, the market volume for fuel wood in chips and particles in Romania increased steadily from 229.4 thousand tons to 301.6 thousand tons, with the market value rising from 19 129 thousand US dollars to 27 355 thousand US dollars over the same period.

Starting in 2022, the government's emergency ordinance OUG 134/2022 capped firewood prices, leading to market shortages and a rise in illegal trade. This regulatory intervention disrupted legal supply chains, contributing to a decline in market volume to 232.2 thousand tons in 2022 and 225.2 thousand tons in 2023, even as market value continued to grow due to higher prices.

By 2024, reduced demand from a mild winter and less active industry, alongside energy-efficiency programs such as 'Rabla pentru sobe' that subsidize more efficient stoves, pushed market volume down sharply to 168.0 thousand tons. An oversupply of firewood and wood pellets developed, with state forestry company Romsilva maintaining stable prices and significant inventory.

Production fuel wood in chips and particles in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Romania's production of fuel wood in chips and particles, measured in monetary terms, experienced a decline after two consecutive years of growth. In 2020, the output was valued at 10 363 thousand US dollars, representing a slight contraction of 2.4% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 34%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 10 615 thousand US dollars, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 19.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Romania in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

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

Romania's production of fuel wood in chips and particles, measured in physical terms, declined following a two-year upward trend. In 2020, the country produced 92.2 thousand tonnes, which corresponds to a significant year-over-year contraction of 23.2%. From 2017 to 2020, overall production increased by 9.3%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 3.0%. The peak was reached in 2019 with 120.1 thousand tonnes, and the largest annual increase also occurred in 2019 at 23.6%.

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

Exports fuel wood in chips and particles from Romania

Exports in kind, K t

Romania's exports of fuel wood in chips and particles, measured in physical terms, declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports stood at 0.8 thousand tonnes, marking a sharp decrease of 67.8% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 71.3%, which equates to an annualized decline rate of 34.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Austria, Germany, and Hungary were the principal buyers of fuel wood in chips and particles from Romania in physical terms. Austria accounted for 56.5% of exports, Germany for 20.9%, and Hungary for 10.4%, collectively representing 87.8% of total exports.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Romania's exports of fuel wood in chips and particles, measured in monetary terms, declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export volume totaled 155 thousand US dollars, indicating a steep decrease of 67.1% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 72.3%, corresponding to an annualized decline rate of 34.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 574 thousand US dollars, and the largest annual increase also occurred in 2018 at 2.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the largest buyers of fuel wood in chips and particles from Romania in value terms were Austria, Germany, and Moldova. Austria held a 55.4% share of exports, Germany 16.9%, and Moldova 12.0%, together accounting for 84.3% of total exports.

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

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

Imports fuel wood in chips and particles to Romania

Imports in kind, K t

Romania's imports of fuel wood in chips and particles, measured in physical terms, reached 158.7 thousand tonnes in 2020, showing a rise of 27.6% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 77.8%, with an annualized growth rate of 21.2%. The largest annual decline was recorded in 2019 at 7.7%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 51.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ukraine and Belarus dominated Romania's imports of fuel wood in chips and particles in physical terms, jointly accounting for 96.4% of total flows, with other countries making up the remainder.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market for imports of fuel wood in chips and particles into Romania, measured in monetary terms, exhibited volatility during this period. The lowest value was recorded in 2017, while the peak occurred in 2018, with a 2.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports totaled 9 581 thousand US dollars, reflecting an increase of 13.3% over the previous year. The maximum value was reached in 2018 at 10 446 thousand US dollars. The largest annual decline was in 2019 at 19.0%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 123.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports of fuel wood in chips and particles into Romania in value terms were primarily directed towards Belarus and Ukraine, whose combined share reached 92.1% of total flows, with other destinations playing a secondary role.

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

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