Roundwood coniferous market in Austria

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Austrian coniferous roundwood market grew, supported by high timber availability from strong harvest volumes and significant storm-damaged wood, particularly in softwood. The state forest operator provided marketing stability under existing laws. In 2020, COVID-19 pandemic disruptions to imports from Eastern Europe reduced competition and boosted domestic demand for local roundwood, pushing the market volume to 24.1 million m³.

The market peaked in 2021 at 24.3 million m³, aided by a surge in spring harvests due to favorable weather and anticipation of Russia's upcoming roundwood export ban. This ban, enforced from January 2022, tightened international supply and increased demand for Austrian wood. However, the market volume began to decline in 2022, coinciding with new international players like HS Timber Group entering the regional landscape.

By 2023, harvest volumes fell by 9%, contributing to a drop in fresh roundwood supply. Simultaneously, the implementation of stricter EU biomass emission limits for wood heating systems reduced demand for energy wood, while global energy price shocks increased cost volatility. These factors led to a further contraction of the market to 21.3 million m³.

Production coniferous roundwood in Austria

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

From 2017 to 2020, Austria ranked 19th globally in the production of coniferous roundwood.

Top producers of coniferous roundwood, 2017-2020

World map of production of coniferous roundwood, 2017-2020

Coniferous roundwood production in Austria fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, Austria produced 13 946 K m³ of coniferous roundwood, marking a significant decline of 12.7% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 4.4%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -1.5%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 16 039 K m³, which also saw the largest increase of 9.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of coniferous roundwood production in Austria dropped for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 1 052 M $ US, reflecting a sharp decline of 18.9% from the year before. The peak value occurred in 2018 at 1 429 M $ US, which also experienced the largest increase of 34.8%.

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

Exports coniferous roundwood from Austria

Exports in kind, K m³

Coniferous roundwood exports from Austria decreased for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 535 K m³, down 26.2% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 36.9%, equivalent to an annualized rate of -14.2%. The highest export volume was in 2018 at 852 K m³, which also saw the largest increase of 0.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Germany, and Slovenia were the main destinations for Austria's coniferous roundwood exports in volume terms. Italy accounted for 41.3% of exports, Germany for 23.0%, and Slovenia for 18.0%, together making up 82.3% of total export volumes.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Coniferous roundwood exports from Austria declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Austria exported 40.4 M $ US worth of coniferous roundwood, showing a dramatic drop of 31.5% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 34.5%, with a CAGR of -13.2%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 75.9 M $ US, which also had the largest increase of 23.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Germany, and Slovenia were the principal destinations for Austria's coniferous roundwood exports in value terms. Italy represented 41.0% of export value, Germany 23.4%, and Slovenia 17.4%, collectively accounting for 81.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports coniferous roundwood to Austria

Imports in kind, K m³

Austria imported approximately 10 644 K m³ of coniferous roundwood in 2020, a sharp rise of 41.4% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 32.3%, with a CAGR of 9.8%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 7 525 K m³, which also saw the largest decline of 10.5%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Czechia, Germany, and Slovenia were the leading sources for Austria's coniferous roundwood imports in volume terms. Czechia accounted for 47.2% of imports, Germany for 26.9%, and Slovenia for 13.7%, together comprising 87.8% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Austria's cross-border shipments of coniferous roundwood amounted to 638.3 M $ US, a modest increase of 8.8% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 3%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 586.8 M $ US, which also had the largest decline of 16.4%. The highest value was in 2018 at 701.7 M $ US, which saw the largest increase of 13.3%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Czechia, Germany, and Slovenia played the leading roles in Austria's coniferous roundwood imports in value terms. Czechia represented 44.7% of import value, Germany 28.2%, and Slovenia 14.7%, jointly accounting for 87.6% of total import flows.

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

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