Non-coniferous fuel wood in chips and particles market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

The market for non-coniferous fuel wood in chips and particles in Romania expanded significantly in value terms between 2018 and 2020, rising from 4 029 thousand to 7 388 thousand US dollars. This growth was primarily driven by substantial price increases for firewood, which rose by approximately 70% in 2018 due to harvesting restrictions. The upward pressure on prices continued as production costs for energy and labor climbed, further inflating the market's monetary value.

From 2021 to 2023, market dynamics were shaped by regulatory interventions and external trade shifts. The implementation of price caps for firewood, through measures like emergency ordinance OUG 134/2022, aimed to curb costs but contributed to reported shortages. During this period, the conflict in Ukraine altered trade flows, with imports of lower-priced Ukrainian wood helping to offset domestic deficits. State forestry company RNP-Romsilva played an increasingly direct role, boosting its sales of processed wood to over 2 million cubic meters and aligning prices. These factors contributed to a volatile but overall rising market value, which reached 8 395 thousand dollars by 2023.

In 2024, the market value contracted sharply to 4 288 thousand dollars. A key driver was the enforcement of a renewed price ceiling limiting firewood to 400 lei per cubic meter, which suppressed revenue. This coincided with a 2.1% decline in harvested wood volume and the introduction of the updated Forestry Code (Law 331/2024), which set new rules for wood mass utilization. RNP-Romsilva's continued direct sales to consumers at stable prices provided some market activity but was insufficient to offset the overall drop.

Production non-coniferous fuel wood in chips and particles in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Romania's production of non-coniferous fuel wood in chips and particles increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 4 349 thousand US dollars, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 23.3%. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 45.5%, which equates to an annualized rate of 13.3%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Romania's production of non-coniferous fuel wood in chips and particles rose for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 32 050 tonnes, up by 10.8% compared to 2019. However, between 2017 and 2020, overall production decreased by 12.7%, representing an annualized decline of 4.4%. The lowest output was recorded in 2018 at 27 475 tonnes, with the largest year-over-year drop of 25.2% also occurring that year.

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

Exports non-coniferous fuel wood in chips and particles from Romania

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes showed significant volatility during this period. They reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2017, with a 3.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Romania exported 662 tonnes of non-coniferous fuel wood in chips and particles, marking a sharp decline of 63.0% from the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 7.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Austria, Germany, and Hungary were the top buyers of non-coniferous fuel wood in chips and particles from Romania. Austria accounted for 47.1% of exports in kind, Germany for 26.3%, and Hungary for 12.1%. Together, these three countries represented 85.5% of total exports in kind.

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 non-coniferous fuel wood in chips and particles declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at 108 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp decrease of 60.8% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 76.3%, which translates to an annualized rate of decline of 38.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Austria, Germany, and Moldova were the main markets for Romania's exports of non-coniferous fuel wood in chips and particles in value terms. Austria held a 40.7% share, Germany 22.7%, and Moldova 18.7%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 82.0% of total export value.

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

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

Imports non-coniferous fuel wood in chips and particles to Romania

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes exhibited an unstable trend over this timeframe. They hit their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a 5.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Romania imported 58 722 tonnes of non-coniferous fuel wood in chips and particles, representing a sharp increase of 172.9% compared to the previous year. The minimum volume was recorded in 2018 at 10 714 tonnes, with the largest year-over-year decline of 50.9% also occurring that year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Ukraine was the primary source for Romania's imports of non-coniferous fuel wood in chips and particles, accounting for 86.6% of total imports in kind. Other countries contributed only minor shares.

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

Import values showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. They reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a 2.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Romania's imports were valued at 3 147 thousand US dollars, marking a sharp increase of 130.2% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 1 106 thousand US dollars, with the largest year-over-year decline of 27.4% also occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ukraine dominated Romania's imports of non-coniferous fuel wood in chips and particles in value terms, with a 71.0% share of total flows. The remaining imports were spread across a large number of minor partners.

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

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