Fuel wood in chips and particles market in Switzerland

Earlier Report Observations

The Swiss market for fuel wood in chips and particles experienced steady growth in volume from 573 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 764 thousand tonnes in 2023. After a slight dip in 2019, consumption began a consistent upward trend, with a notable jump in 2020. This expansion was primarily supported by rising imports, which increased from 145 thousand tonnes to 257 thousand tonnes over the period, while exports declined significantly.

The market's acceleration from 2021 was strongly influenced by the unprecedented surge in fossil fuel and electricity prices during the global energy crisis. This price shock made wood energy a more cost-competitive heating alternative, stimulating demand for wood chips. Consequently, domestic consumption rose, supported by record installations of wood-fired boilers and heating appliances across Europe. By 2023, the market volume reached 764 thousand tonnes, with prices stabilizing at a higher level than before the crisis.

Production fuel wood in chips and particles in Switzerland

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

Switzerland produced 501.8 thousand tonnes of fuel wood in chips and particles in 2020, marking a 4.0% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 8.6%, averaging 2.8% annually. The largest annual decline occurred in 2019 at 0.6%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 5.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the output of fuel wood in chips and particles in Switzerland was valued at 10 790 thousand US dollars, a 15.1% rise year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value increased by 16.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 11 141 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 15.8%, and the biggest increase was in 2018 at 20.6%.

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

Exports fuel wood in chips and particles from Switzerland

Exports in kind, K t

Switzerland's exports of fuel wood in chips and particles declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 32.7 thousand tonnes, a sharp 32.6% drop from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 5.2%, averaging a 1.8% annual decline. The peak export volume was in 2018 at 57.6 thousand tonnes, with the largest increase that year at 66.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy was the dominant partner for Switzerland's exports in kind, accounting for 72.9% of total flows, while other markets held relatively modest shares.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values showed significant volatility during this period. The peak was in 2018, and the trough in 2017, with a 1.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exports amounted to 704 thousand US dollars, a 25.4% decrease from 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 322 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 28.7%, and the biggest increase was in 2018 at 91.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy and Germany were the main destinations for Switzerland's exports in value terms, together representing 83.0% of total flows, with the remaining share distributed among other markets.

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

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

Imports fuel wood in chips and particles to Switzerland

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, Switzerland's imports of fuel wood in chips and particles increased in 2020, reaching 161.8 thousand tonnes, a 19.4% rise from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 7.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.6%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 135.5 thousand tonnes, and the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 17.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany and France dominated Switzerland's import structure in kind, while other countries collectively made up the remainder.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year fall, Switzerland's imports of fuel wood in chips and particles increased in 2020, totaling 12 502 thousand US dollars, a 4.7% rise from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 5.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 11 940 thousand US dollars, and the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 5.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany and France consistently accounted for 90.4% of Switzerland's total imports in value terms, indicating a highly concentrated market with a long tail of smaller markets.

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

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