Non coniferous roundwood market in North Macedonia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, North Macedonia's non-coniferous roundwood market contracted steadily, with production volume declining from 728 thousand m³ to 598 thousand m³. During 2021, the government banned exports of firewood and pellets until year-end to regulate the domestic market and secure local supply, which likely helped stabilize availability amid falling output.

A temporary rebound occurred in 2022, as production rose to 627 thousand m³. This recovery was largely driven by heightened demand for construction timber following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which disrupted traditional European supply chains and spurred regional sourcing. Concurrently, authorities imposed maximum retail prices on oak and beech firewood and pellets to curb inflation and shield consumers from sharp cost increases.

By 2023, production fell again to 556 thousand m³, reflecting ongoing market volatility. The market value mirrored this turbulence, peaking in 2020 before a sustained drop, indicating that price movements compounded the physical volume changes.

Production non coniferous roundwood in North Macedonia

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 North Macedonia has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, production reached 658.0 thousand cubic meters, marking a 4.5% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 11.8%, which translates to an average annual decline of 4.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

North Macedonia's non-coniferous roundwood production has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 288.9 million US dollars, remaining stable year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 7.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 252.8 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 19.2%, while the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 13.7%.

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

Exports non coniferous roundwood from North Macedonia

Exports in kind, m³

After a two-year decline, non-coniferous roundwood exports from North Macedonia have increased. In 2020, exports reached 528 cubic meters, showing a 22.5% rise compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 6%, equating to an average annual decline of 2.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 431 cubic meters. The largest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 19.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from North Macedonia in kind, 2017-2020, m³

From 2017 to 2020, Bosnia and Herzegovina (50.0% of exports in kind), Albania (5.1% of exports in kind), and Greece (5.1% of exports in kind) were the principal destinations for exports in kind, jointly accounting for 60.1% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Non-coniferous roundwood exports from North Macedonia have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 231.9 thousand US dollars, showing an uptick of 28.9% from a year earlier. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 156.6 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 33.6%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Bosnia and Herzegovina (51.0% of exports in value terms), Italy (8.4% of exports in value terms), and Japan (3.7% of exports in value terms) stood out as the main markets for exports in value terms, together representing 63.2% of total flows.

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

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

Imports non coniferous roundwood to North Macedonia

Imports in kind, m³

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. In 2019, imports reached their lowest point at 1 174 cubic meters, while in 2020, they peaked at 2 302 cubic meters, showing a 2-fold variation between these years. In 2020, non-coniferous roundwood deliveries to North Macedonia totaled 2 302 cubic meters, indicating an abrupt increase of 96.1% year-over-year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, falling by 40.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to North Macedonia in kind, 2017-2020, m³

From 2017 to 2020, Greece (42.8% of imports in kind), Bulgaria (30.3% of imports in kind), and Serbia (26.6% of imports in kind) were the main sources in the geographical breakdown of imports in kind of non-coniferous roundwood to North Macedonia, with a combined share of 99.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. In 2019, imports reached their lowest point at 103.0 thousand US dollars, while in 2017, they peaked at the highest level, reflecting a 2.4-fold gap. In 2020, cross-border shipments of non-coniferous roundwood to North Macedonia amounted to 236.8 thousand US dollars, reflecting a sharp increase of 129.9% from a year earlier. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, dropping by 53.3%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Greece (40.1% of imports in value terms), Serbia (33.7% of imports in value terms), and Bulgaria (25.6% of imports in value terms) formed the core of imports in value terms, together taking 99.4% of total flows.

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

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