Non coniferous wood fuel market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, the Belgian non-coniferous wood fuel market volume grew from 777 000 m³ to 1.48 million m³. This expansion was primarily driven by a multi-year spruce bark beetle infestation that created a shortage of coniferous wood, shifting industrial and heating demand toward hardwood species. Government subsidies in Wallonia for wood-energy production further stimulated purchases from local farmers. Although the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 caused a brief slowdown, demand quickly recovered, supported by incentives for energy renovation. By 2021, a surge in the sawn coniferous timber market additionally increased the need for hardwood as an energy source, pushing prices upward and attracting more supply.

The European energy crisis following the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022 sharply raised demand for wood fuel, particularly hardwood. However, the simultaneous introduction of a Belgian decree limiting the moisture content of firewood to 23% imposed new drying and traceability requirements, temporarily constraining supply. This combination contributed to a market volume decrease to 1.28 million m³ that year. In 2023, the market stabilized at 1.30 million m³ as the industry adapted to the new rules. Major players like SEB-Sic and Enagás Belgium opened new hardwood drying facilities to meet local demand, which remained high due to subsidies for thermal retrofits and the ongoing application of EU wood-fuel traceability labeling norms.

In 2024, regulatory updates facilitated access for small forest owners to public aid for cutting hardwood for energy purposes. A Walloon cooperative launched a new 'pre-mixed wood fuel' segment blending oak and beech for domestic heating installations. These developments, alongside a moderate decline in fossil fuel prices, supported a continued recovery in import volumes, indicating sustained market activity driven by the energy transition incentives.

Production non coniferous wood fuel in Belgium

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, Belgium produced 831.2 K m³ of non-coniferous wood fuel, showing minimal change compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 0.0%, while the largest increase was also recorded in 2018, at 0.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Non-coniferous wood fuel production in Belgium increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 52 928 K $ US, marking a strong year-over-year rise of 16.0%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 27.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.4%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 39 105 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 5.8%, while the largest increase was in 2019, at 16.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Belgium in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports non coniferous wood fuel from Belgium

Exports in kind, K m³

Belgium's non-coniferous wood fuel exports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the export volume was 168.1 K m³, representing a 7.4% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 11.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.8%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 208.4 K m³. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 12.9%, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 10.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France remained the dominant destination for exports in kind, accounting for 78.3% of total flows, with the remainder fragmented across other markets.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Foreign non-coniferous wood fuel supplies from Belgium increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Belgium exported 10 706 K $ US of non-coniferous wood fuel, which is 7.4% higher than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports rose by 13.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the principal destinations for exports in value terms were France, with 59.4% of exports, the Netherlands, with 16.3%, and the United Kingdom, with 11.9%. Together, these three countries accounted for 87.6% of total flows.

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

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

Imports non coniferous wood fuel to Belgium

Imports in kind, K m³

Non-coniferous wood fuel volumes imported by Belgium increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 613.4 K m³, indicating a 27.0% rise compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports surged by 318.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 61.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands and France remained the main markets for imports in kind, jointly accounting for 84.7% of total flows, while other partners made up the remaining share.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Non-coniferous wood fuel volumes imported by Belgium increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Belgium imported a total of value_last_year K $ US of non-coniferous wood fuel, reflecting a strong increase of 10.1% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 62.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 17.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the largest share of imports in value terms came from the Netherlands, with 68.5%, Belarus, with 8.0%, and Ukraine, with 7.9%. Together, these three countries comprised 84.4% of total flows.

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

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