Non coniferous wood fuel market in Serbia

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for non-coniferous wood fuel in Serbia fluctuated between 6 000 and 6 500 thousand m³ from 2018 to 2023. After a slight dip to 6 184 thousand m³ in 2019, it recovered to 6 302 thousand m³ in 2020 before declining again to 6 126 thousand m³ in 2021. The market then expanded to 6 446 thousand m³ in 2022, the highest point in the period, followed by a contraction to 5 973 thousand m³ in 2023.

The growth in 2022 was driven by global energy market disruptions following the war in Ukraine, which increased demand for alternative heating sources like wood fuel in Serbia. In contrast, 2023 saw a decline in market volume as falling timber prices in Europe, particularly from German and Austrian sawmills, put downward pressure on local production and sales. This price competition from imports affected both the physical volume and the market value, which dropped from 424.3 million USD in 2022 to 397.0 million USD in 2023.

Production non coniferous wood fuel in Serbia

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 Serbia, non-coniferous wood fuel production reached 6 312 thousand cubic meters in 2020, marking a 1.7% increase from the previous year. Production had previously hit its lowest point in 2019 at 6 209 thousand cubic meters, while the peak was recorded in 2018 with 6 403 thousand cubic meters. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 3.0%.

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

Exports non coniferous wood fuel from Serbia

Exports in kind, m³

Serbia's exports of non-coniferous wood fuel declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 19 046 cubic meters, representing a 33.4% year-over-year decrease. From 2017 to 2020, exports dropped by 57.1%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 24.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, North Macedonia and Italy were the dominant markets for Serbia's non-coniferous wood fuel exports in volume terms, together accounting for 81.9% of total flows. The remaining exports were distributed among various other destinations.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Serbia's non-coniferous wood fuel exports in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export value totaled 978 thousand US dollars, a 38.9% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 44%, with a compound annual growth rate of -17.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 876 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 7.4% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, North Macedonia, and Switzerland consistently served as the main destinations for Serbia's non-coniferous wood fuel exports in value terms. Italy accounted for 43.2% of export value, North Macedonia for 31.7%, and Switzerland for 10.5%. Together, these three markets represented 85.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports non coniferous wood fuel to Serbia

Imports in kind, m³

The market for non-coniferous wood fuel imports into Serbia showed significant volatility during this period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 3 270 cubic meters, after hitting their maximum in 2017—a fluctuation of 3.4 times between these years. In 2020, imports rebounded to 9 510 cubic meters, marking a substantial increase of 190.8% from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 69.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Bosnia and Herzegovina was the primary source for Serbia's non-coniferous wood fuel imports in volume terms, consistently supplying 91.7% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Serbia's non-coniferous wood fuel imports in value terms experienced noticeable fluctuations from 2017 to 2020. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 281 thousand US dollars, while the maximum occurred in 2017—representing a 2.2-fold variation between these years. In 2020, import value rose sharply to 557 thousand US dollars, a 98.7% increase from 2019. The most significant decline took place in 2018, with a decrease of 53.0%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Germany remained the principal sources for Serbia's non-coniferous wood fuel imports in value terms, together accounting for 80.3% of total import flows. Other trading partners each held significantly smaller shares.

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

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