Non coniferous wood fuel market in Western Europe

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2019, the non-coniferous wood fuel market in Western Europe was supported by government subsidy programs that offset the higher costs of wood heating systems compared to fossil fuels, alongside rising fossil fuel prices which enhanced the appeal of firewood. Consumer preferences increasingly shifted towards sustainable fuels, contributing to demand. However, in 2020, market volume declined to 38 705 thousand m³ as the COVID-19 pandemic affected the construction sector and international timber trade, altering demand dynamics.

The onset of the energy crisis in 2021, exacerbated by geopolitical conflicts and the rising CO₂ pricing for fossil fuels, sharply increased the competitiveness of firewood, driving market volume up to 43 141 thousand m³. In 2022, the war in Ukraine and subsequent sanctions against Russia triggered a surge in demand for alternative fuels, with firewood prices rising by up to 85% and supply shortages emerging. State forestry regulations that restricted self-collection of wood and market participants' response through strategic partnerships and product innovations, such as the introduction of smart stoves with emission controls, shaped the market environment, sustaining volume at 43 017 thousand m³.

In 2023, market volume adjusted downward to 41 070 thousand m³ as rising production and labor costs led to further price increases, moderately cooling consumption. Nevertheless, the CO₂ charge applied solely to fossil fuels continued to favor firewood as a renewable resource, while consumer preferences strengthened towards local and sustainable energy sources. The market demonstrated resilience, with ongoing investments in innovative products and improved emission controls.

Production non coniferous wood fuel in Western Europe

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

Western Europe's production of non-coniferous wood fuel has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 38 767 thousand cubic meters, marking a 2.5% decrease from 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 5.9%, with an average annual decline of 2.0%.

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

Exports non coniferous wood fuel from Western Europe

Exports in kind, K m³

The market exhibited significant volatility during these years. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 7.5-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, Western Europe exported 904 thousand cubic meters of non-coniferous wood fuel, which was a 39.5% increase from 2019. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 3 317 thousand cubic meters. The most substantial decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 80.5%, while the largest increase was in 2018, surging by 645.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Denmark, Italy, and Switzerland were the top buyers of non-coniferous wood fuel from Western Europe, though none dominated the market. Denmark accounted for 13.9% of exports in kind, Italy for 11.0%, and Switzerland for 4.7%. Together, these three countries made up 29.6% of total exports, with many smaller partners comprising the remainder.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Western Europe's exports of non-coniferous wood fuel were valued at 106.8 million US dollars, a 4.6% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value rose by 23.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.3%. The peak value was in 2018 at 113.1 million US dollars. The largest decline happened in 2019, falling by 9.7%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, up by 30.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Western Europe in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Denmark, Italy, and the United States were the leading buyers of non-coniferous wood fuel from Western Europe in value terms, though their shares were not dominant. Denmark represented 7.0% of export value, Italy 6.7%, and the United States 5.6%. Combined, these three countries accounted for 19.4% of total export value, with a wide array of smaller partners making up the rest.

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

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

Imports non coniferous wood fuel to Western Europe

Imports in kind, K m³

Imports showed notable volatility over the observed period. The lowest import volume was in 2020, while the highest was in 2018, with a 2.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Western Europe imported 843 thousand cubic meters of non-coniferous wood fuel, a 10.8% decrease from 2019. The maximum import volume was recorded in 2018 at 2 140 thousand cubic meters. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 55.8%, and the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 90.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ukraine, Czechia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina were the primary suppliers of non-coniferous wood fuel to Western Europe, though none held a dominant position. Ukraine contributed 7.2% of imports in kind, Czechia 6.6%, and Bosnia and Herzegovina 5.3%. Together, these three countries represented 19.1% of total imports, with numerous smaller suppliers involved.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Western Europe's imports of non-coniferous wood fuel were valued at 128.6 million US dollars, a 1.6% increase from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value grew by 11.5%, equivalent to an average annual rate of 3.7%. The highest value was in 2018 at 134.4 million US dollars. The largest decline was in 2019, down by 5.8%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, up by 16.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Western Europe in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During 2017-2020, the import market for non-coniferous wood fuel in Western Europe was characterized by a diverse range of partners. Ukraine, Poland, and Belarus were the top suppliers in value terms, with Ukraine accounting for 8.9% of import value, Poland for 7.0%, and Belarus for 6.5%. Together, these three countries made up 22.4% of total import flows, reflecting a broad supplier base.

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

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