Non coniferous wood fuel market in Switzerland

Earlier Report Observations

The Swiss non-coniferous wood fuel market saw stable volumes around 1 million m³ from 2018 to 2020, supported by strong seasonal demand and rising prices, particularly for larch. During this period, the Wood Market Commission (CMB) provided price recommendations that ensured transparency for forest owners. In 2019, demand remained firm but limited supply pushed prices higher, while the market volume stabilized. Regulatory intervention in 2020, when the Competition Commission (COMCO) banned official price recommendations, reshaped market governance without disrupting underlying consumption.

Market growth accelerated from 2021 onward, driven by several structural factors. The introduction of a new CMB monitoring model in 2021 improved parity between suppliers and buyers. A significant expansion occurred in 2022, fueled by explosive demand for small wood chips and logs used in pellet production, stimulated by high energy prices and public incentives for energy renovation. Simultaneously, new legislation mandating a maximum moisture content of 23% for firewood from September 2022 enhanced fuel efficiency and quality. Growth continued in 2023, supported by price stability and the implementation of enhanced traceability and labeling requirements under updated Swiss forest law.

By 2024, market discussions centered on developing a voluntary price framework for wood fuel to support small producers, while the launch of innovative mass beech laminated timber products created new demand for high-quality hardwood, indirectly influencing the fuel wood sector.

Production non coniferous wood fuel in Switzerland

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

Switzerland's production of non-coniferous wood fuel has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 960 thousand cubic meters, marking a controlled reduction of 4.1% compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 12.3%, which translates to an average annual decline of 4.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Switzerland's production of non-coniferous wood fuel has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 12 006 thousand US dollars, representing a significant drop of 13.6% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 35.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 13.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Switzerland in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports non coniferous wood fuel from Switzerland

Exports in kind, m³

Switzerland's exports of non-coniferous wood fuel have fallen for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 47 118 cubic meters, indicating a sharp decline of 32.9% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 5.1%, with an average annual decline of 1.7%. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 75 652 cubic meters, which also saw the largest increase of 52.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy remained the dominant partner for Switzerland's exports of non-coniferous wood fuel in volume terms, accounting for 78.8% of total flows, while other markets formed a long tail.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Switzerland's cross-border shipments of non-coniferous wood fuel have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 589 thousand US dollars, corresponding to a steep decline of 39.5% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 30.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 11.4%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 1 129 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 33.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy and Germany consistently accounted for 85.7% of Switzerland's total exports of non-coniferous wood fuel in value terms, indicating a high degree of concentration alongside a long tail of smaller markets.

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

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

Imports non coniferous wood fuel to Switzerland

Imports in kind, m³

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Import volumes bottomed out in 2018 at 33 090 cubic meters and peaked in 2020 at 96 729 cubic meters, with a 2.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imported volumes amounted to 96 729 cubic meters, marking a sharp gain of 43.8% from 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 3.0%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 103.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France and Germany were the dominant sources for Switzerland's imports of non-coniferous wood fuel in volume terms, jointly taking 84.0% of total flows, with the remaining share going to other markets.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Switzerland's imports of non-coniferous wood fuel have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled approximately 7 546 thousand US dollars, constituting a gain of 18.2% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 47%, with an average annual growth rate of 13.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France (40.2% of imports in value terms), Germany (30.4%), and Poland (6.3%) were the main sources in the geographical breakdown of Switzerland's imports of non-coniferous wood fuel in value terms, with a combined share of 76.9% of total flows.

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

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