Non coniferous roundwood market in Southern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the non-coniferous roundwood market in Southern Europe expanded gradually despite persistent raw material shortages. Low forest productivity in Portugal increased reliance on imports, which helped sustain overall consumption. At the same time, the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR) tightened controls on illegally harvested wood, shaping a more regulated trade environment.

A sharp 5.7% market surge in 2022 to 51 246 thousand m³ was fueled by rising demand for construction timber, compounded by supply issues in other regions and the global energy crisis. This spurred both domestic production and imports, which peaked at 3 818 thousand m³. However, supply constraints from storms and insect infestations in forests led to a slight 0.8% market contraction to 50 811 thousand m³ in 2023.

Throughout the period, sustainability requirements gained influence, including the adoption of forest certifications and circular economy practices for recycled wood. In Italy, plans emerged for a digital platform to better match supply with demand, aiming to improve market efficiency.

Production non coniferous roundwood in Southern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Top producers of non coniferous roundwood, 2017-2020

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

Southern Europe's non-coniferous roundwood production increased in 2020, ending a two-year decline. The region produced 47 549 K m³ that year, which was 0.7% higher than the 47 211 K m³ recorded in 2019. The lowest production level was in 2019, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 1.5%.

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

Exports non coniferous roundwood from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, K m³

Exports of non-coniferous roundwood from Southern Europe fell for the second year in a row in 2020, reaching 1 493 K m³, a modest 4.9% drop from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 32.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.8%. The highest export volume was in 2018 at 1 720 K m³, with the largest increase that year at 52.6%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 8.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, exports of non-coniferous roundwood from Southern Europe were spread across many partner countries. China accounted for 6.8% of exports, France for 3.4%, and Austria for 3.0%, together making up just 13.2% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Southern Europe's non-coniferous roundwood exports declined in 2020 after two years of growth, totaling 225.6 M $ US, a 1.3% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports rose by 9.1%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 2.9%. The peak value was in 2019 at 228.5 M $ US, with the largest increase that year at 7.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, exports of non-coniferous roundwood from Southern Europe in value terms relied on a diverse range of partner countries. China represented 12.6% of exports, Austria 5.5%, and Hungary 3.0%, together accounting for just 21.1% of total flows.

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

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

Imports non coniferous roundwood to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, K m³

Southern Europe imported 2 416 K m³ of non-coniferous roundwood in 2020, a modest 8.9% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 5.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.7%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 1 704 K m³, with the largest decline that year at 18.5%. The highest volume was in 2019 at 2 416 K m³, with the largest increase that year at 41.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports of non-coniferous roundwood into Southern Europe were distributed across a wide set of partner countries. France accounted for 6.7% of imports, Hungary for 2.2%, and Austria for 1.6%, together representing just 10.6% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Southern Europe's non-coniferous roundwood imports amounted to 379.4 M $ US, down 3.5% from 2019. The lowest value was in 2018 at 367.9 M $ US, while the highest was in 2019 at 393.1 M $ US, with the largest increase that year at 6.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, the United States, and Austria were the largest suppliers of non-coniferous roundwood to Southern Europe in value terms, but they did not dominate the market. France accounted for 15.6% of imports, the United States for 8.0%, and Austria for 4.8%, together making up 28.3% of total imports against a backdrop of many smaller partners.

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

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