Non coniferous wood fuel market in the Netherlands

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Dutch market for non-coniferous wood fuel expanded, reaching over 2.1 million m³ in 2020. This growth was supported by increasing global demand for wood products, including wood fuel, and a strong focus on sustainability within the Netherlands. The share of sustainably produced temperate hardwood in the country rose significantly, and by 2019, more than 90% of imported softwood, hardwood, and panel materials were Chain-of-Custody certified. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, imports of certified and non-certified wood still grew by 16.2% in 2020, indicating resilient demand.

The market contracted sharply in 2022 to 1.4 million m³ after a slight dip in 2021. Wood prices had risen faster than ever in 2021 due to supply chain disruptions and strong demand from the US and China, putting pressure on availability. In 2022, sanctions against Russia and Belarus over the war in Ukraine led to export restrictions and high export duties on wood, drastically reducing the supply of Russian wood to the Dutch market. Simultaneously, the energy crisis raised energy costs and boosted demand for wood fuel as an alternative heating source, but supply constraints and a surge in exports caused the domestic market volume to fall by almost a third.

In 2023, the market rebounded to 1.8 million m³. High gas prices continued to encourage consumers to burn more wood for heating, driving demand despite growing climate awareness. The number of firewood businesses kept increasing as a result, supporting the recovery in market volume.

Production non coniferous wood fuel in the Netherlands

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

After a two-year decline, non-coniferous wood fuel production in the Netherlands increased in 2021. The country produced 1 911 K m³ of non-coniferous wood fuel that year, marking a 1.3% rise compared to 2020. Production had reached its lowest point in 2020 at 1 887 K m³, following the largest decline of 2.1% in 2019.

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

Exports non coniferous wood fuel from the Netherlands

Exports in kind, K m³

Following a two-year reduction, foreign non-coniferous wood fuel exports from the Netherlands increased in 2021. The Netherlands exported 34.6 K m³ of non-coniferous wood fuel that year, showing a significant improvement of 66.4% compared to 2020. However, over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports decreased by 8.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -3.0%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 20.8 K m³, after the largest decline of 36.7% in 2019.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Belgium, Germany, and the United Kingdom were the leading destinations for non-coniferous wood fuel exports from the Netherlands. Belgium accounted for 36.4% of exports in kind, Germany for 25.6%, and the United Kingdom for 20.5%. Together, these three countries represented 82.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Non-coniferous wood fuel deliveries from the Netherlands declined for the third consecutive year in 2021. The country exported 18 337 K US dollars of non-coniferous wood fuel that year, representing a dramatic drop of 26.1% from 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports decreased by 51.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -21.2%.

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

Throughout 2018 to 2021, Germany, Belgium, and the United Kingdom were the three largest markets for non-coniferous wood fuel exports in value terms. Together, they accounted for 85.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports non coniferous wood fuel to the Netherlands

Imports in kind, K m³

The market for non-coniferous wood fuel imports into the Netherlands exhibited an unstable trend from 2018 to 2021. Imports dropped to a minimum in 2018 and climbed to their maximum in 2020, showing a 2.8-fold shift between these years. In 2021, imports amounted to 143.1 K m³, constituting a decrease of 43.6% compared to 2020. The maximum value was recorded in 2020 at 253.8 K m³, with the largest increase of 83.7% also occurring that year.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Belgium, Germany, and Belarus were the main suppliers of non-coniferous wood fuel to the Netherlands. Belgium accounted for 36.6% of imports in kind, Germany for 26.5%, and Belarus for 13.5%. Together, these three countries comprised 76.5% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year rise, the volume of non-coniferous wood fuel imports into the Netherlands declined in 2021. The import volume reached 26 672 K US dollars that year, equivalent to a strong loss of 14.9% from 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, imports increased by 10.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.4%. The maximum value was recorded in 2020 at 31 350 K US dollars, with the largest increase of 28.4% also occurring that year.

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

Throughout 2018 to 2021, Belgium, Germany, and Belarus were the three largest markets for non-coniferous wood fuel imports in value terms. Together, they accounted for 72.1% of total import flows.

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

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