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

Earlier Report Observations

The non-coniferous sawnwood market in Eastern Europe initially benefited from high export orientation and expanded production capacity, with new sawmill lines coming online in 2019. This supported production levels near 7.4 million cubic meters. However, the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 sharply reduced domestic consumption and disrupted export logistics, leading to a significant contraction in both production and total market volume.

Subsequent years were defined by major trade policy shifts. The introduction of prohibitive export duties on high-moisture sawnwood and an EU ban on Russian wood imports from 2022 onward forced a restructuring of trade flows. Exporters pivoted to Asian markets, such as Vietnam, while domestic market volume continued to trend downward, stabilizing at around 3.7 million cubic meters by 2023 under the persistent influence of these regulatory measures.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Top producers of non coniferous sawnwood, 2017-2020

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

Following two years of growth, non-coniferous sawnwood production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined. In 2019, production reached its peak at 7,417 thousand cubic meters. However, by 2020, output had fallen to 6,494 thousand cubic meters, representing a 12.4% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 7.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.5%. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, when production grew by 5.3%.

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

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

Exports in kind, K m³

After two consecutive years of decline, non-coniferous sawnwood exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) rebounded. In 2019, exports hit their lowest point at 2,325 thousand cubic meters. In 2020, exports rose to 2,506 thousand cubic meters, marking a 7.8% increase year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 31.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.7%. The most significant decline occurred in 2018, when exports fell by 22.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, Egypt, and Lithuania consistently led the export market for non-coniferous sawnwood from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia). China accounted for 43.9% of exports in volume, Egypt for 4.7%, and Lithuania for 4.2%. Together, these three countries represented 52.7% of total export flows during this period.

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

Non-coniferous sawnwood exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined for the second year in a row. In 2018, export value peaked at 1,046 million US dollars. By 2020, exports had dropped to 871 million US dollars, showing a modest 8.4% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 14.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.0%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when exports fell by 9.1%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 3.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the value of non-coniferous sawnwood exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) was relatively evenly distributed among various markets. China accounted for 34.6% of export value, Germany for 5.9%, and Lithuania for 5.1%. Together, these three countries represented only 45.5% of total export flows, indicating a diverse market structure.

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 sawnwood to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Imports in kind, K m³

Non-coniferous sawnwood imports into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) increased in 2020. In 2019, imports reached their lowest point at 366 thousand cubic meters. By 2020, imports had risen to 427 thousand cubic meters, representing a 16.5% increase year-over-year. The peak import volume was recorded in 2018 at 457 thousand cubic meters. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when imports fell by 19.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, non-coniferous sawnwood imports into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) came from a wide range of sources. Germany accounted for 9.7% of imports in volume, Austria for 2.8%, and Croatia for 2.7%. Together, these three countries represented only 15.2% of total import volume, with the remaining 84.8% coming from numerous smaller markets.

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 sawnwood imports into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined for the second consecutive year. In 2018, import value reached its highest point at 315 million US dollars. By 2020, imports had decreased to 275 million US dollars, marking a slight 0.6% decline compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when imports fell by 12.1%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 14.6%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, the country structure of non-coniferous sawnwood imports into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value terms remained highly diversified. Germany accounted for 13.7% of import value, Ecuador for 6.1%, and Croatia for 3.1%. Together, these three countries represented just 22.9% of total import flows, with no single partner emerging as clearly dominant.

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