Non coniferous roundwood market in Estonia

Earlier Report Observations

The Estonian non-coniferous roundwood market opened the period at 4 070 thousand m³ in 2018 but contracted to 3 792 thousand m³ the following year. This initial decline coincided with a broader context where circular economy principles were not yet fully integrated into national policy, potentially affecting the efficiency of resource use in the forestry sector.

A significant recovery to 4 426 thousand m³ occurred in 2020, driven by the launch of a strategic initiative to create a national circular economy strategy and action plan. This policy move stimulated activity and likely supported demand for wood as a renewable material. After a dip to 4 017 thousand m³ in 2021, the market grew again to 4 154 thousand m³ in 2022. This rebound was supported by the introduction of mandatory green criteria in public procurement for products like furniture and paper, alongside rising firewood prices due to lower cutting volumes and high coniferous log prices, which encouraged harvesting activity.

The market continued its expansion in 2023, reaching 4 472 thousand m³, with domestic production rising to 5 362 thousand m³, indicating sustained demand for non-coniferous roundwood in Estonia.

Production non coniferous roundwood in Estonia

In kind, 2018-2021, K m³

Top producers of non coniferous roundwood, 2018-2021

World map of production of non coniferous roundwood, 2018-2021

In 2021, Estonia produced 4 813 K m³ of non-coniferous roundwood, marking a modest year-over-year decline of 5.0%. Over the 2018-2021 period, production decreased by 12.3%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -4.3%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 10.1%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2020, at 2.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Estonia in kind, 2018-2021, K m³

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Following two years of decline, Estonia's non-coniferous roundwood production increased in value terms. In 2021, output was valued at 304.2 M $ US, representing a 5.1% uptick compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, production value decreased by 28.8%, equating to an annualized rate of -10.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 289.3 M $ US, while the largest decline occurred in 2019, at 20.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Estonia in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports non coniferous roundwood from Estonia

Exports in kind, K m³

After a two-year decrease, Estonia's volume of non-coniferous roundwood exports increased. In 2021, exports amounted to 982 K m³, showing a substantial improvement of 14.5% compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports decreased by 34.5%, with a CAGR of -13.1%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2020 at 858 K m³, which also saw the largest decline of 30.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Estonia in kind, 2018-2021, K m³

From 2018 to 2021, Estonia's export structure in kind was dominated by Sweden and Finland, which together accounted for 90.0% of total flows, with other markets forming a long tail.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Estonia in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

After a two-year decrease, the value of non-coniferous roundwood exports from Estonia increased. In 2021, Estonia exported 62.1 M $ US of non-coniferous roundwood, up by 26.7% compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, export value decreased by 46.8%, with a CAGR of -19.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 49.0 M $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 42.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Estonia in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Sweden and Finland remained the main markets for exports in value terms, jointly accounting for 83.9% of total flows, while other partners made up the remainder.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Estonia in value, 2018-2021

Imports non coniferous roundwood to Estonia

Imports in kind, K m³

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018, with the highest in 2020, reflecting a 2.7-fold gap between these years. In 2021, Estonia's non-coniferous roundwood imports amounted to 187 K m³, down by 13.3% compared to 2020. The maximum volume was recorded in 2020 at 216 K m³, which also saw the largest increase of 121.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Estonia in kind, 2018-2021, K m³

Throughout 2018–2021, Latvia and Russia were the core markets for imports in kind, jointly accounting for 87.9% of total flows, while other destinations had comparatively modest shares.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Estonia in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during the period. The lowest import value occurred in 2018, while the highest was noted in 2020, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 2.3 times. In 2021, Estonia's non-coniferous roundwood imports were recorded at 21.2 M $ US, reflecting a decline of 6.0% compared to 2020. The maximum value was recorded in 2020 at 22.6 M $ US, which also experienced the largest increase of 121.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Estonia in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Throughout 2018–2021, Latvia (47.5% of imports in value terms), Russia (19.3%), and Poland (18.7%) remained the main markets for non-coniferous roundwood imports to Estonia, jointly accounting for 85.5% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Estonia in value, 2018-2021