Non coniferous wood fuel market in Albania

Earlier Report Observations

The market for non-coniferous wood fuel in Albania showed moderate growth initially, with production and consumption rising in 2019 as investments in technology and automation helped improve efficiency in the wood processing industry. This trend was interrupted in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic altered consumer behavior and temporarily reduced demand. A strong recovery followed in 2021, with market volume jumping by over 15% to 872 thousand m³. This surge was supported by increased tourism demand, which spurred construction of related infrastructure, and by building permit regulations that continued to shape activity in the wood construction sector.

Market volume then fell sharply in 2022, dropping by nearly 20% to 703 thousand m³. While no specific drivers for this contraction were highlighted, the industry continued to face ongoing challenges such as domestic raw material shortages. By 2023, the market stabilized at just over 704 thousand m³, showing little change from the previous year.

Looking ahead, the wood industry's strategy remains focused on specialization in narrow segments, collaboration among small and medium enterprises, and further investment in technology and automation to enhance competitiveness and cost efficiency, as noted in the ongoing industry outlook for 2024.

Production non coniferous wood fuel in Albania

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Top producers of non coniferous wood fuel, 2017-2020

World map of production of non coniferous wood fuel, 2017-2020

In 2020, Albania produced 761 thousand cubic meters of non-coniferous wood fuel, marking a 3.1% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 30.8%, with an average annual decline of 11.6%. The most significant drop occurred in 2018, at 30.0%, while 2019 saw a modest increase of 1.9%.

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

Exports non coniferous wood fuel from Albania

Exports in kind, m³

In 2020, Albania exported 8,820 cubic meters of non-coniferous wood fuel, representing a 15.2% increase compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 26.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.2%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 10,252 cubic meters, which also saw the largest increase of 47.4%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest decline, with exports falling by 25.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy remained the dominant and nearly exclusive destination for Albania's non-coniferous wood fuel exports, accounting for 92.7% of the total volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Albania's exports of non-coniferous wood fuel reached 572.8 thousand US dollars, up 55.1% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 32.2%, with an average annual growth of 9.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 369.3 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 17.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the export structure in value terms was highly concentrated, with Italy alone making up 95.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports non coniferous wood fuel to Albania

Imports in kind, m³

Albania's imports of non-coniferous wood fuel declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, totaling 1,416 cubic meters, a sharp reduction of 15.5% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 62.2%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 27.7%. The peak import volume was in 2018 at 4,927 cubic meters, which also saw the largest increase of 31.4%. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with imports falling by 66.0%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Serbia and Montenegro were the primary suppliers of non-coniferous wood fuel to Albania, together accounting for 100.0% of total imports in volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Albania imported 70.5 thousand US dollars of non-coniferous wood fuel in 2020, a slight decrease of 2.2% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports showed notable fluctuations, with the highest value recorded in 2018 at 345.9 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 96.3%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with imports dropping by 79.2%. The gap between the peak in 2018 and the low in 2020 was 4.9-fold.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Serbia and Montenegro were the main sources for Albania's imports in value terms, jointly representing 100.0% of total flows.

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

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