Non coniferous sawnwood market in Estonia

Earlier Report Observations

The non-coniferous sawnwood market in Estonia expanded significantly from 108.3 thousand m³ in 2018 to 240.6 thousand m³ in 2021. This growth was initially supported by a reduction in the tax on criminal wood branches in 2019, which boosted domestic demand. Despite logistical challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, production volumes increased, and market participants began preparing for impending EU sanctions on wood imports from Russia and Belarus. In 2021, a larger timber harvest and strong domestic consumption further drove market expansion.

The market dynamics shifted in 2022 when EU sanctions halted all imports of wood materials from Russia and Belarus, directly affecting local supply. Simultaneously, the closure of Estonia's only particleboard plant reduced industrial demand for non-coniferous sawnwood. These factors contributed to a slight market contraction to 232.0 thousand m³. By 2023, the market volume plummeted to 93.6 thousand m³, marking a sharp decline from the peak years.

Production non coniferous sawnwood in Estonia

In kind, 2018-2021, K m³

Top producers of non coniferous sawnwood, 2018-2021

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

Estonia's production of non-coniferous sawnwood increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 160.0 K m³, marking a modest rise of 6.7% compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 55.5%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 15.9%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2019 at 100.0 K m³, when it declined by 2.8%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2020, with production jumping by 50.0%.

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

Exports non coniferous sawnwood from Estonia

Exports in kind, K m³

Estonia's exports of non-coniferous sawnwood declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports stood at 96.5 K m³, representing a year-over-year decrease of 15.9%. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports fell by 27.8%, equating to an annualized decline of 10.3%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the main destinations for Estonia's non-coniferous sawnwood exports in volume terms were the United Kingdom, accounting for 53.4% of exports, China with 9.5%, and Finland at 7.5%. Together, these three countries represented 70.4% of total export flows.

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, K $ US

After a two-year decline, Estonia's non-coniferous sawnwood exports in value terms increased in 2021. The country exported 48 451 K $ US worth of non-coniferous sawnwood, marking a gain of 21.3% compared to the previous year. However, over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports decreased by 26.2%, which corresponds to an annualized decline of 9.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 39 953 K $ US, when exports fell by 26.3%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the main markets for Estonia's non-coniferous sawnwood exports in value terms were the United Kingdom, with a 34.5% share, Finland at 12.0%, and China with 9.3%. Together, these three countries accounted for 55.8% of total export flows.

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 sawnwood to Estonia

Imports in kind, K m³

In 2021, Estonia's imports of non-coniferous sawnwood in volume terms amounted to 177.2 K m³, up by 21.7% year-over-year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports increased by 27.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.4%. The largest decline was recorded in 2020, when imports fell by 5.9%.

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

Throughout 2018 to 2021, the key partners for Estonia's non-coniferous sawnwood imports in volume terms were Russia, accounting for 49.6% of imports, Latvia with 15.8%, and Ukraine at 7.6%. Together, these three countries represented 73.0% of total import flows.

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, K $ US

In 2021, Estonia's imports of non-coniferous sawnwood in value terms amounted to 78 018 K $ US, representing a dramatic rise of 45.5% year-over-year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports increased by 34.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 53 616 K $ US, when imports declined by 16.3%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Russia, the United States, and Latvia consistently occupied leading positions in Estonia's non-coniferous sawnwood import structure in value terms. Russia accounted for 28.8% of imports, the United States for 16.3%, and Latvia for 16.1%. Together, these three countries represented 61.3% of total import flows.

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

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