Non coniferous sawnwood market in Switzerland

Earlier Report Observations

The Swiss non-coniferous sawnwood market volume expanded from 71 855 m³ in 2018 to 82 994 m³ in 2020. This growth period was marked by rising prices for beech and other hardwoods from September 2018, signaling tight supply-demand conditions that encouraged production increases. The Wood Market Commission's January 2019 communiqué on traceability and contract compliance further supported disciplined market operations during this phase.

Market volume then contracted to 76 818 m³ by 2023. The COVID-19 pandemic introduced log supply pressures and price volatility in 2021, coinciding with the implementation of stricter emission controls for wood-fired boilers that affected energy wood demand. In January 2022, the Timber Trade Ordinance (OCBo) entered into force, imposing due diligence against illegally harvested wood, while Fagus Suisse launched a new glued laminated timber plant for beech to add value to local hardwoods. By 2023, sawmill production fell by 3.6% as demand from the furniture sector and neighboring countries weakened, and imports of sawnwood declined by 7.3%.

Production non coniferous sawnwood in Switzerland

In kind, 2017-2020, m³

Top producers of non coniferous sawnwood, 2017-2020

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

Switzerland's production of non-coniferous sawnwood grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 54 648 m³, marking a 12.7% year-on-year increase. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 14%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.5%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 45 900 m³, which also saw the largest decline of 4.3%.

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

Exports non coniferous sawnwood from Switzerland

Exports in kind, m³

Switzerland exported 17 565 m³ of non-coniferous sawnwood in 2020, showing a modest decrease of 8.4% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 23.6%, translating to an annualized decline of 8.6%. The sharpest drop occurred in 2018 at 20.0%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 4.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy, Slovakia, and Germany were the top destinations for Switzerland's non-coniferous sawnwood exports by volume. Italy accounted for 33.0% of exports, Slovakia for 28.2%, and Germany for 12.5%, together making up 73.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Switzerland's non-coniferous sawnwood exports in value terms totaled 6 137 thousand US dollars, reflecting a significant drop of 41.2% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 32%, with an average annual decline of 12.1%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 10 437 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 33.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Slovakia, and Germany were the leading markets for Switzerland's non-coniferous sawnwood exports by value. Italy contributed 25.9% of export value, Slovakia 25.8%, and Germany 17.9%, collectively accounting for 69.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports non coniferous sawnwood to Switzerland

Imports in kind, m³

Switzerland imported 45 847 m³ of non-coniferous sawnwood in 2020, indicating a slight decline of 2.1% year-on-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 5.8%, with an average annual reduction of 2.0%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 44 376 m³, which experienced the largest decline of 8.8%, while the biggest increase was in 2019 at 5.6%.

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

During 2017-2020, Germany, France, and Austria were the primary sources for Switzerland's non-coniferous sawnwood imports by volume. Germany supplied 30.4% of imports, France 18.5%, and Austria 17.5%, together representing 66.3% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Switzerland's imports of non-coniferous sawnwood in value terms increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 61 935 thousand US dollars, showing a small uptick of 2.8% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value grew by 5.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, France, and Austria remained the key suppliers of non-coniferous sawnwood to Switzerland by value. Germany accounted for 30.0% of import value, France for 21.3%, and Austria for 16.1%, jointly forming 67.4% of total imports in value terms.

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

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