Non coniferous wood fuel market in Lithuania

Earlier Report Observations

The market for non-coniferous wood fuel in Lithuania experienced several shifts between 2018 and 2023. Initially, in 2018, the market volume reached 1 429 thousand m³, supported by the active role of the state forest enterprise in regulating supply and government policies promoting renewable energy use. The following year saw a decline to 1 261 thousand m³, coinciding with the introduction of new labeling requirements that temporarily affected market transparency and operations. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted supply chains, further reducing availability and pushing the market volume down to 1 133 thousand m³.

Recovery began in 2021, with the market growing to 1 243 thousand m³ as state-owned enterprises increased investments in production and consumer preferences strengthened towards eco-friendly and local energy sources. However, 2022 brought another contraction to 1 055 thousand m³, amidst geopolitical factors and rising energy prices that influenced production and consumption patterns.

The market rebounded sharply in 2023, reaching 1 517 thousand m³, driven by a significant rise in domestic production to 1 597 thousand m³. This growth occurred despite ongoing declines in import volumes, reflecting a broader shift towards greater self-sufficiency in wood fuel supply.

Production non coniferous wood fuel in Lithuania

In kind, 2018-2021, K m³

Top producers of non coniferous wood fuel, 2018-2021

World map of production of non coniferous wood fuel, 2018-2021

In 2021, Lithuania produced 1,287 thousand cubic meters of non-coniferous wood fuel, representing a slight year-on-year decrease of 2.7%. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production declined by 6.9%, which translates to an average annual reduction of 2.4%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 1,238 thousand cubic meters, which also saw the largest decline of 10.5%. In contrast, 2020 experienced the most significant increase, with production rising by 6.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021, K m³

Exports non coniferous wood fuel from Lithuania

Exports in kind, K m³

Following two consecutive years of growth, Lithuania's exports of non-coniferous wood fuel declined in 2021. The country exported 260.4 thousand cubic meters that year, which is 6.4% less than in the previous year. Over the four-year period from 2018 to 2021, exports increased by 44.9%, corresponding to a compound annual growth rate of 13.2%. The highest export volume was achieved in 2020 at 278.3 thousand cubic meters, which also marked the largest annual increase of 42.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021, K m³

Between 2018 and 2021, the United Kingdom, Latvia, and Germany emerged as the primary markets for Lithuania's non-coniferous wood fuel exports in volume terms. The United Kingdom accounted for 32.2% of exports, Latvia for 20.7%, and Germany for 10.9%. Together, these three countries represented 63.8% of total export flows during this period.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

Lithuania's non-coniferous wood fuel exports in value terms grew for the second year in a row in 2021. Exports reached 45,542 thousand US dollars, showing a substantial year-on-year increase of 40.7%. From 2018 to 2021, export value rose by 79.3%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 21.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 24,920 thousand US dollars, which also saw a decline of 1.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Lithuania in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

During the 2018–2021 period, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Germany were the main buyers of non-coniferous wood fuel from Lithuania in value terms. The United Kingdom accounted for 47.2% of export value, Ireland for 12.6%, and Germany for 9.3%. Collectively, these three markets represented 69.0% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Lithuania in value, 2018-2021

Imports non coniferous wood fuel to Lithuania

Imports in kind, K m³

The market displayed notable volatility during the observed period. Import volumes reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2018, with a 2.5-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Lithuania imported 216.2 thousand cubic meters of non-coniferous wood fuel, reflecting a sharp year-on-year increase of 144.5%. The minimum volume was recorded in 2020 at 88.4 thousand cubic meters, which also experienced the largest decline of 59.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021, K m³

From 2018 to 2021, Belarus and Latvia consistently led as the main sources of non-coniferous wood fuel imports to Lithuania in volume terms. Together, they accounted for 81.8% of total import flows, while other trading partners played a more limited role.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited significant volatility over the observed period. Import values fell to their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2021, with a 2.3-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Lithuania's non-coniferous wood fuel imports amounted to 9,418 thousand US dollars, marking a sharp year-on-year improvement of 130.0%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 4,095 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 36.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Lithuania in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Throughout 2018–2021, Belarus and Latvia clearly dominated Lithuania's non-coniferous wood fuel imports in value terms. Together, they accounted for 83.3% of total import flows, while other countries held significantly smaller shares.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Lithuania in value, 2018-2021