Non coniferous wood fuel market in France

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the market volume of non-coniferous wood fuel in France increased to 19 938 thousand m³, and reached 21 599 thousand m³ in 2019. This growth was driven by state CRE tenders that stimulated investments in biomass power plants, boosting demand for wood fuel. At the same time, production and mobilization of wood for energy increased, despite the spruce bark beetle crisis, which created an oversupply of wood.

The market volume dropped to 20 794 thousand m³ in 2020, then surged by 15% to 23 936 thousand m³ in 2021. The post-COVID-19 recovery led to strong buyer demand, while Experts Forestiers de France placed over 1.7 million m³ of wood on the market through grouped sales, increasing supply. The development of wood pellet production capacity also supported the growth.

In 2022, the market volume fell to 21 100 thousand m³, aided by increased exports of logs and sawnwood, which reduced domestic availability. In 2023, the market stabilized at 21 489 thousand m³, as an influx of fire-damaged wood in the Landes region raised the mobilization of maritime pine for fuel use.

Production non coniferous wood fuel in France

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Between 2017 and 2020, France ranked as the 18th largest producer of non-coniferous wood fuel globally.

Top producers of non coniferous wood fuel, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, France produced 21,000 thousand cubic meters of non-coniferous wood fuel, representing a 3.7% decline compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 6.3%, which translates to an average annual decline of 2.1%. The only year with growth was 2019, when production increased by 0.3%.

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

Exports non coniferous wood fuel from France

Exports in kind, K m³

Export volumes showed significant volatility during the observed period. In 2017, exports reached their lowest point, then surged to a peak of 2,545 thousand cubic meters in 2018, representing an 8.6-fold increase from the 2017 trough. In 2019, exports experienced the largest decline of 84.9%, followed by a modest recovery in 2020 to 383 thousand cubic meters, which remained nearly unchanged year-over-year. The most substantial increase occurred in 2018, with growth of 761.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, Switzerland, and Italy were the primary buyers of non-coniferous wood fuel from France, accounting for 52.0%, 13.2%, and 11.4% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 76.6% of France's total exports in this category.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After two consecutive years of growth, France's non-coniferous wood fuel exports in value terms declined in 2020. Exports reached 32,038 thousand US dollars that year, reflecting a controlled decrease of 4.3% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 5.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.8%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 33,469 thousand US dollars, while the largest annual increase of 8.3% occurred in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France's export partner portfolio for non-coniferous wood fuel in value terms was quite diverse. The United States, Belgium, and Italy were the top destinations, accounting for 17.2%, 17.0%, and 11.2% of exports in value, respectively. However, together they represented only 45.4% of total export flows, indicating a broad distribution across multiple markets.

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

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

Imports non coniferous wood fuel to France

Imports in kind, K m³

Import volumes displayed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. In 2017, imports were at their lowest level, then jumped to a peak of 750 thousand cubic meters in 2018, creating a six-fold difference between the trough and peak. In 2019, imports saw the largest decline of 75.6%, followed by a modest reduction of 3.7% in 2020 to 177 thousand cubic meters. The most significant increase occurred in 2018, with growth of 504.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany and Belgium dominated France's imports of non-coniferous wood fuel in kind, together capturing 80.1% of total import volumes. The remaining imports were distributed thinly across various other markets.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

France's imports of non-coniferous wood fuel in value terms increased for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 17,054 thousand US dollars. This marked a small increase of 1.2% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew substantially by 60.1%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 17.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, Belgium, and Poland stood out as the main sources for France's imports of non-coniferous wood fuel in value terms. They accounted for 41.9%, 20.8%, and 10.0% of imports, respectively, together representing 72.8% of total import flows.

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

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