Non coniferous sawnwood market in CIS

Earlier Report Observations

The non-coniferous sawnwood market in the CIS expanded to 2 749 thousand m³ in 2019, supported by state measures such as increased export duties on unprocessed timber, which encouraged domestic processing. Rising prices for hardwood sawnwood also reflected steady demand.

Market volume contracted to 2 024 thousand m³ in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic reduced production and demand. Further decline followed, reaching 1 127 thousand m³ in 2022, due to EU sanctions banning imports of Russian timber and the introduction of a full export ban on unprocessed and roughly processed coniferous and valuable hardwood timber from January 2022. However, the domestic market was cushioned by growing consumption linked to the popularity of wooden house construction.

By 2023, the market recovered to 1 584 thousand m³. Producers reoriented toward the domestic market after sanctions, while a downturn in China's real estate sector reduced export demand. Continued growth in Russian consumption of sawnwood for wooden construction further supported domestic uptake of non-coniferous sawnwood.

Production non coniferous sawnwood in CIS

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Top producers of non coniferous sawnwood, 2017-2020

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

Non-coniferous sawnwood production in the CIS region declined after two years of growth. In 2020, production reached 3 162 K m³, marking a 16.7% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 4.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.6%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 3 798 K m³, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 at 14.6%.

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

Exports non coniferous sawnwood from CIS

Exports in kind, K m³

Non-coniferous sawnwood exports from the CIS region increased following a two-year decline. In 2020, exports stood at 1 183 K m³, showing a modest 7.9% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 34.2%, with an average annual decline of 13.0%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 096 K m³, while the most significant drop occurred in 2018 with a 28.5% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China accounted for 70.3% of total non-coniferous sawnwood exports from the CIS region in volume terms. The remaining export volume was distributed among numerous other countries, each with relatively small individual shares.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Non-coniferous sawnwood exports from the CIS region declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export value reached 245.3 million US dollars, representing a 20.8% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 26.6%, equating to an average annual decline of 9.8%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, China remained the primary destination for non-coniferous sawnwood exports from the CIS region in value terms, accounting for 68.6% of total exports. Lithuania followed with 6.0% and Estonia with 5.1%. Together, these three countries represented 79.6% of the total export value.

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

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

Imports non coniferous sawnwood to CIS

Imports in kind, K m³

Non-coniferous sawnwood imports to the CIS region declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 45 K m³, reflecting a 3.5% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 23.1%, with an average annual decline of 8.4%.

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

The geographical structure of non-coniferous sawnwood imports to the CIS region was highly diversified from 2017 to 2020. Ukraine accounted for 8.0% of imports in volume terms, Cameroon for 1.2%, and the United States for 1.0%. Together, these three countries represented only 10.2% of total import volume, with the remaining 89.8% distributed among numerous smaller trading partners.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Non-coniferous sawnwood imports to the CIS region declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import value stood at 22.9 million US dollars, showing a slight 2.0% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 12.1%, equating to an average annual decline of 4.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, non-coniferous sawnwood imports to the CIS region in value terms were characterized by broad market diversification. Ukraine accounted for 15.0% of import value, the United States for 8.7%, and Cameroon for 2.3%. Together, these three countries represented only 26.0% of total import value, with the remainder distributed across numerous other markets.

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

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