Non coniferous wood fuel market in Portugal

Earlier Report Observations

Portugal's non-coniferous wood fuel market volume showed significant variability, peaking at 4.0 million m³ in 2023 after a temporary dip to 2.0 million m³ in 2020. The underlying upward trend in production was consistently reinforced by fire prevention legislation, starting with the 2018 decree that mandated fuel management zones and compulsory clearance of wooded areas. Increased surveillance and fines by the Republican National Guard from 2020 onward turned regulatory pressure into a steady supply of wood material for fuel.

Demand for wood fuel received a substantial boost in 2022 when Decree-Law No. 84/2022 introduced an 11.5% biofuel blending mandate for road transport, making wood biomass a valuable input for low-carbon fuels. Parallel rules promoting forest biomass power plants created additional offtake channels. A spike in available wood occurred in early 2023 after severe storms downed trees across the country, which authorities and landowners had to clear, further augmenting fuel stocks.

The regulatory emphasis on fuel management remained active in 2024 and 2025, with ongoing GNR inspections and financial aid for landowners to remove woody material, ensuring continued conversion of forest residues into wood fuel. The 2024 National Energy Balance recorded a rising share of woody biomass in Portugal's renewable energy consumption, reflecting the sector's entrenched position in the national energy strategy.

Production non coniferous wood fuel in Portugal

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

Portugal's production of non-coniferous wood fuel has increased for the third year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 1,318 thousand cubic meters, showing a modest 2.1% rise from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 46%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 13.4%.

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

Exports non coniferous wood fuel from Portugal

Exports in kind, K m³

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Export volumes hit their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a 74-fold difference between these extremes. In 2021, Portugal's exports of non-coniferous wood fuel reached 72 thousand cubic meters, marking an 18.0% decrease from the year before. The highest value was recorded in 2020 at 87 thousand cubic meters, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a jump of 3,282.0%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Spain was the dominant partner for exports in kind, accounting for 88.0% of total flows. Other markets held relatively modest shares during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations over the years. The value of exports reached its lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with an 8.2-fold difference between these two years. In 2021, Portugal's cross-border shipments of non-coniferous wood fuel were valued at 3.8 million US dollars, down 61.6% from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2020 at 9.8 million US dollars, and the largest increase happened in 2019 with a rise of 240.1%.

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

Throughout 2018–2021, Spain and the United Kingdom were the core markets for exports in value terms, together making up 95.1% of total flows. Other destinations had comparatively modest shares.

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

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

Imports non coniferous wood fuel to Portugal

Imports in kind, K m³

The market displayed an unstable trend during this timeframe. Import volumes were at their lowest in 2020 and highest in 2019, with a 2.5-fold gap between these years. In 2021, Portugal's imports of non-coniferous wood fuel amounted to 1,633 thousand cubic meters, up 107.1% from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 789 thousand cubic meters, while the maximum was in 2019 at 1,947 thousand cubic meters. The largest decline occurred in 2020 with a drop of 59.5%.

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

Over the period 2018–2021, Uruguay and Brazil were the main sources for imports in kind, jointly accounting for 91.4% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed among other markets.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior in these years. Imports bottomed in 2020 and peaked in 2019, differing by 2.8 times. In 2021, Portugal's cross-border shipments of non-coniferous wood fuel were valued at 115.1 million US dollars, which is 112.3% higher than in 2020. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 54.2 million US dollars, and the maximum was in 2019 at 151.4 million US dollars. The largest decline took place in 2020 with a decrease of 64.2%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Uruguay held the dominant position in imports in value terms, representing 72.4% of total flows. The rest of the share was split among various smaller destinations.

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

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