Non coniferous wood fuel market in Sweden

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for non-coniferous wood fuel in Sweden stood at 3 176 thousand cubic meters in 2018. It contracted over the next two years, reaching a low of 2 788 thousand m³ in 2020. A recovery followed from 2021 onward, with consumption climbing to 3 399 thousand m³ by 2023. This upward trend was supported by a rebound in domestic production, which rose from 2 550 thousand m³ in 2020 to 2 800 thousand m³ in 2023, and a sharp increase in imports, which more than doubled from 241 thousand m³ in 2021 to 631 thousand m³ in 2023.

By 2024, several key developments began influencing the market. A sharp price increase for wood fuel emerged, driven by reduced supply of recycled wood chips from the construction sector, higher international demand, and logging cuts due to spruce bark beetle infestations. EU sanctions against Russia and Belarus following the invasion of Ukraine tightened the supply of forest products in Europe, affecting import and export flows for non-coniferous fuels. Simultaneously, a depreciation of the Swedish krona made imports more expensive and boosted the competitiveness of Swedish wood fuel exports. The implementation of new EU directives such as RED III and upcoming regulations like EUDR introduced expected cost increases and administrative burdens for industry players. In parallel, state support through Impact-Innovation projects aimed to develop regulations and incentives for a sustainable transition, potentially encouraging production of leaf-based and other non-coniferous wood fuels.

Production non coniferous wood fuel in Sweden

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

Sweden's production of non-coniferous wood fuel has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 2 550 K m³, which represents a 5.6% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 22.7%, averaging an annual decline of 8.2%.

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

Exports non coniferous wood fuel from Sweden

Exports in kind, K m³

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Export volumes hit their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 3.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Sweden's exports of non-coniferous wood fuel totaled 36.1 K m³, a significant increase of 150.2% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when exports dropped by 36.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Norway and Denmark were the dominant markets for Sweden's exports of non-coniferous wood fuel, together accounting for 99.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout this period. Export values reached their minimum in 2017 and their maximum in 2020, showing a 2.4-fold increase. In 2020, the value of Sweden's non-coniferous wood fuel exports was 3 348 K US dollars, up 61.5% from 2019. The largest decline was in 2019, with a drop of 34.1%, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a rise of 121.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Norway was the main market for Sweden's non-coniferous wood fuel exports in value terms, making up 89.5% of total exports, with other destinations playing a smaller role.

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

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

Imports non coniferous wood fuel to Sweden

Imports in kind, K m³

Volatility marked the market during these years. Import volumes varied by 2.2 times, with the low in 2017 and the high in 2018. In 2020, Sweden imported 274.0 K m³ of non-coniferous wood fuel, a 9.2% increase from 2019. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 465.7 K m³. The largest decline happened in 2019, with a 46.1% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a 123.8% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil, Latvia, and Russia were the key partners for Sweden's imports of non-coniferous wood fuel, together representing 76.0% of total import flows. Brazil accounted for 32.5%, Latvia for 23.9%, and Russia for 19.7%.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market was characterized by volatility in these years. Import values fluctuated by 2.9 times, from the low in 2017 to the high in 2018. In 2020, Sweden imported approximately 13 479 K US dollars worth of non-coniferous wood fuel, a decrease of 7.1% compared to the previous year. The highest value was in 2018 at 31 166 K US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 53.5% drop, and the largest increase was in 2018, with a 189.8% rise.

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

During 2017–2020, Brazil, Russia, and Latvia held the largest shares of Sweden's imports of non-coniferous wood fuel in value terms, together comprising 70.7% of total flows. Brazil contributed 37.2%, Russia 19.6%, and Latvia 13.9%.

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

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