Non coniferous roundwood market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Earlier Report Observations

Production of non-coniferous roundwood began the period at a high level of 97.2 million m³ in 2018, a year when Russia's overall timber harvest reached a record volume. Output then declined to 92.6 million m³ in 2019, influenced by a surplus of raw material and operational difficulties in winter logging that reduced timber harvesting activity. This downward movement continued into 2020, with production falling further to 90.8 million m³.

The market rebounded in 2021 as production recovered to 97.1 million m³. This increase was supported by growing domestic wood processing, including rising output of hardwood lumber and plywood, which bolstered demand for roundwood. A pivotal change occurred in 2022 with the introduction of a ban on exports of unprocessed timber, which caused roundwood exports to plummet by 70% compared to the previous year. This policy, designed to promote deep processing within the country, helped expand the domestic market size to 91.4 million m³ in 2022 despite a slight dip in production to 94.8 million m³.

In 2023, both production and market volume contracted, falling to 88.4 million m³ and 86.3 million m³ respectively. This decline coincided with a reported drop in sawmill capacity utilization to 71-73%, signaling weaker demand for sawn wood. The ongoing export ban on unprocessed timber continues to steer the market toward greater domestic processing and a search for new export avenues for higher-value forest products.

Production non coniferous roundwood in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Top producers of non coniferous roundwood, 2017-2020

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

Non-coniferous roundwood production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 90 833 thousand cubic meters, representing a 1.9% decrease from the previous year. Production peaked in 2018 at 97 171 thousand cubic meters, which was a 7.3% increase from 2017. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, when production fell by 4.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Exports non coniferous roundwood from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Exports in kind, K m³

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 4 525 thousand cubic meters, then surged to a peak of 9 688 thousand cubic meters in 2020, marking a dramatic 114.1% increase from the previous year. This represents a 2.1-fold difference between the low in 2019 and the high in 2020. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, when exports fell by 37.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

From 2017 to 2020, Finland, China, and Sweden were the top buyers of non-coniferous roundwood from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia). Finland accounted for 54.5% of exports in volume, China for 24.7%, and Sweden for 4.6%. Together, these three countries represented 83.8% of total exports.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, non-coniferous roundwood exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) amounted to 642.9 million US dollars, showing a modest 9.5% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 2.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 736.2 million US dollars, which represented an 11.9% increase. The lowest value occurred in 2019 at 586.8 million US dollars, marking a 20.3% decline.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, China, Finland, and Austria were the key destinations for non-coniferous roundwood exports in value terms. China accounted for 41.1% of export value, Finland for 34.9%, and Austria for 6.1%. Combined, these three countries represented 82.1% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020

Imports non coniferous roundwood to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Imports in kind, K m³

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 363 thousand cubic meters, then rebounded to 860 thousand cubic meters in 2020, representing a sharp 137.0% increase from the previous year. The peak was recorded in 2018 at 872 thousand cubic meters, creating a 2.4-fold difference between the low in 2019 and the high in 2018. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when imports fell by 58.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

The import structure for non-coniferous roundwood in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) was diversified from 2017 to 2020. Norway accounted for 5.6% of imports in volume, Germany for 4.4%, and Croatia for 4.1%. Together, these three countries represented just 14.0% of total imports, with no single country holding a dominant position.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Non-coniferous roundwood imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 116.4 million US dollars, down 2.4% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 27.9%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 10.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 170.9 million US dollars, which was a 5.9% increase. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, when imports fell by 30.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the import partner landscape in value terms was broad. Croatia accounted for 6.5% of import value, Germany for 6.3%, and France for 6.2%. Together, these three countries represented only 19.0% of total import flows, with the remaining 81.0% coming from numerous other countries.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020