Non coniferous roundwood market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

The non-coniferous roundwood market in Belgium experienced notable shifts between 2018 and 2020. In 2018, the Walloon government introduced a central log park and raised the maximum value for private hardwood sales to support local sawmills, while international competition tightened for imported softwood lumber. The market volume then surged to 3.3 million m³ in 2019, a period when the sector faced reported pressure on hardwood resources from exports and concerns over sawmill sustainability, alongside increased hardwood planting in Wallonia. By 2020, the market receded to 2.7 million m³ as wood prices stabilized and consumption for pulp production remained steady.

Market conditions rebounded sharply in 2021, with volume growing to 3.2 million m³. This recovery was propelled by a soaring demand for sawn wood, which lifted prices and followed the earlier spruce bark beetle crisis, alongside a regulatory-driven increase in wood sold privately by municipalities to sawmills. The expanding wood construction sector, with around 150 active firms, further bolstered demand. Growth continued into 2022, reaching 3.3 million m³, supported by a doubling of municipal private sales and sustained high stumpage prices fueled by strong demand and the energy crisis, even as the pace of wood construction activity slowed.

In 2023, the market volume contracted to 2.8 million m³.

Production non coniferous roundwood in Belgium

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Top producers of non coniferous roundwood, 2017-2020

World map of production of non coniferous roundwood, 2017-2020

In 2020, Belgium produced 1 835 K m³ of non-coniferous roundwood, showing only minor fluctuations compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 0.0%, while the largest increase was also recorded in 2018, at 0.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Belgium in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of growth, Belgium's non-coniferous roundwood production volume declined. In 2020, the output was valued at 229.6 M $ US, down by 24.6% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 13.3%, averaging an annualized rate of 4.6%. The peak value was reached in 2019 at 304.6 M $ US, with the largest increase of 13.4% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Belgium in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports non coniferous roundwood from Belgium

Exports in kind, K m³

In 2020, Belgium's foreign non-coniferous roundwood supplies totaled 909 K m³, up by 31.7% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 24%, with an annualized rate of 7.4%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 690 K m³, which saw the largest decline of 18.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Belgium in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Between 2017 and 2020, China, India, and Vietnam were the main destinations for Belgium's non-coniferous roundwood exports in kind, accounting for 40.9%, 21.3%, and 20.8% of exports, respectively. Together, they represented 83.0% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Cross-border shipments of non-coniferous roundwood from Belgium declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the export volume was 113.7 M $ US, down by 0.8% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 7.5%, averaging an annualized rate of 2.4%. The highest value was in 2018 at 123.7 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 17.0%, while the largest decline of 7.4% occurred in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, Vietnam, and India were the primary markets for Belgium's non-coniferous roundwood exports in value terms, with shares of 62.5%, 16.2%, and 8.0%, respectively. Combined, they accounted for 86.6% of total flows.

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

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

Imports non coniferous roundwood to Belgium

Imports in kind, K m³

Non-coniferous roundwood volumes imported by Belgium declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were approximately 1 753 K m³, a significant decrease of 19.0% from the previous year. Over the period 2017-2020, imports fell by 19.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.0%. The peak volume was in 2018 at 2 363 K m³, which also recorded the largest increase of 8.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Belgium in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Between 2017 and 2020, France remained the key source for non-coniferous roundwood imports to Belgium, accounting for 74.0% of total imports in kind, while other destinations played a much smaller role.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Imported non-coniferous roundwood volumes in Belgium declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 99.2 M $ US, down by 3.3% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 4.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.4%. The highest value was in 2018 at 124.0 M $ US, which saw the largest increase of 30.2%, while the largest decline of 17.3% occurred in 2019.

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

Over 2017-2020, France remained the leading supplier of non-coniferous roundwood to Belgium, with 72.8% of total imports in value terms, while the remainder was distributed among many other countries.

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

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