Prefabricated buildings market in Sweden

Earlier Report Observations

The Swedish prefabricated buildings market showed robust growth from 2020 to 2021, with market volume increasing by 26% to 2 720 million USD. This surge was primarily driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, which boosted demand for rapid construction solutions, and by government support programs for energy-efficient and sustainable buildings that stimulated new projects. The period also saw the entry of new players and legislative changes promoting sustainable construction, further supporting market expansion.

After reaching a peak in 2021, the market entered a correction phase. Volume declined by 5% in 2022 to 2 584 million USD, followed by a sharper contraction of 24% in 2023 to 1 959 million USD. While factors such as ongoing housing shortages and investments by large construction companies in new prefabrication facilities were present, the overall market size decreased during these years.

Production prefabricated buildings in Sweden

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Annual dynamics of production in Sweden in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports prefabricated buildings from Sweden

Exports in kind, t

Sweden's exports of prefabricated buildings declined in 2020 after two consecutive years of growth. The country exported 57 513 tonnes, marking a significant decrease of 10.7% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 6.7%, which translates to an average annual increase of 2.2%. The peak was reached in 2019 with 64 423 tonnes, while the largest annual growth occurred in 2018 at 11.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Sweden in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Norway, Japan, and Poland were consistently the main destinations for Sweden's prefabricated building exports in volume terms. Norway accounted for 43.0% of exports, Japan for 11.0%, and Poland for 10.8%. Together, these three countries represented 64.8% 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, M $ US

In 2020, Sweden's cross-border shipments of prefabricated buildings reached 259.8 million US dollars, showing a 21.2% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 15.7%, averaging an annual rise of 5.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 214.3 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 349.4 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 38.7%, and the largest increase was in 2018 with a gain of 55.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Norway, Finland, and Cuba were the leading buyers of prefabricated buildings from Sweden in value terms. Norway accounted for 51.2% of exports, Finland for 7.8%, and Cuba for 6.2%. Collectively, these three countries made up 65.2% of total export value.

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

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

Imports prefabricated buildings to Sweden

Imports in kind, t

Sweden's imports of prefabricated buildings increased for the second year in a row in 2020. Imports stood at 90 447 tonnes, representing a notable gain of 11.4% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 8%, equating to an average annual rate of 2.6%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 73 103 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 12.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Sweden in kind, 2017-2020, t

The country composition of Sweden's prefabricated building imports in volume terms from 2017 to 2020 was relatively dispersed. Estonia accounted for 23.7% of imports, Denmark for 12.7%, and Poland for 11.5%. Together, these three countries formed just 47.9% of total import flows, with the remaining 52.1% distributed among a wide range of other sources.

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, M $ US

After two years of decline, Sweden's imports of prefabricated buildings increased in 2020. The country imported a total of 245.1 million US dollars, up by 24.8% compared to 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 196.4 million US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a drop of 14.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Estonia, Latvia, and Denmark played notable but not dominant roles as suppliers of prefabricated buildings to Sweden in value terms. Estonia accounted for 27.4% of imports, Latvia for 11.1%, and Denmark for 8.6%. Their combined share reached only 47.1% of total import value.

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

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