Non coniferous sawnwood market in Ireland

Earlier Report Observations

The Irish market for non-coniferous sawnwood underwent a profound contraction from 2018 to 2024, with total consumption collapsing from 4.3 million cubic meters to around 550 thousand cubic meters. This represented a near 90% reduction in market volume over the period, marking one of the most significant downturns in the sector. The decline was consistent year-on-year, with a particularly steep drop occurring in 2023.

The market contraction accelerated sharply in 2023, with volume falling 68% to 589 thousand cubic meters. This steep decline followed the introduction of new wood burning stove regulations effective from January 2022, which required all biomass fuels to be certified against the EN ISO 17225 standards. This regulatory shift likely reduced demand for sawnwood used in residential heating applications, contributing to the overall market shrinkage in the latter part of the period.

Domestic production remained negligible throughout, stable at approximately 2 thousand cubic meters annually. The drastic market reduction was therefore almost entirely due to a collapse in imports, which fell from 4.3 million cubic meters in 2018 to 555 thousand cubic meters in 2024. While private sector roundwood production increased significantly as forests matured, this did not lead to expanded local sawnwood output.

Production non coniferous sawnwood in Ireland

In kind, 2017-2020, m³

Top producers of non coniferous sawnwood, 2017-2020

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

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during the period. Production reached its peak in 2017 and hit its lowest point in 2018, with a 4.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Ireland produced 2 000 m³ of non-coniferous sawnwood, remaining nearly unchanged from the previous year. The minimum production volume was recorded in 2018 at 2 000 m³. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 77.2%, while the largest increase was observed in 2019 at 0.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Ireland in kind, 2017-2020, m³

Exports non coniferous sawnwood from Ireland

Exports in kind, K m³

Non-coniferous sawnwood exports from Ireland declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports stood at 12 K m³, representing a 36.1% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 41%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -16.1%. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2018 at 25 K m³, which also saw the largest increase of 19.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the structure of exports in kind was heavily dominated by a single market: the United Kingdom, which accounted for 96.3% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Ireland's non-coniferous sawnwood exports in value terms declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports were recorded at 2 343 K US$, down by 12.5% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 7.7%, equating to an annualized rate of -2.6%. The maximum value was reached in 2018 at 3 134 K US$, which also experienced the largest increase of 23.4%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 14.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, virtually all non-coniferous sawnwood exports from Ireland in value terms were associated with the United Kingdom, whose share reached 90.3% of total flows.

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

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

Imports non coniferous sawnwood to Ireland

Imports in kind, K m³

After a two-year increase, non-coniferous sawnwood imports to Ireland declined. In 2020, import volume reached 987 K m³, marking a decrease of 32.6% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 8.3%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.7%. The maximum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 464 K m³, which also saw the largest increase of 47.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three main markets—the United States, Cameroon, and the United Kingdom—together absorbed 76.4% of total non-coniferous sawnwood imports in kind to Ireland.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year rise, Ireland's non-coniferous sawnwood imports in value terms declined. In 2020, imports were recorded at 34 095 K US$, which is 18.2% lower compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 3.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.2%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 41 678 K US$, which also experienced the largest increase of 13.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Cameroon (32.4% of imports in value terms), the United States (26.1% of imports in value terms), and the United Kingdom (25.4% of imports in value terms) formed the main cluster of markets for non-coniferous sawnwood imports in value terms, with a combined share of 83.9% of total flows.

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

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