Roundwood coniferous market in Belarus

Earlier Report Observations

The coniferous roundwood market in Belarus experienced a steady contraction from 22 945 thousand m³ in 2018 to 16 653 thousand m³ in 2023. The initial decline accelerated in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted demand and logistics for forest products.

A further drop in market volume occurred in 2022, driven by external trade factors. Russia's ban on exports of unprocessed coniferous timber from January 2022 altered regional supply patterns, while a concurrent 32% decrease in roundwood imports by the European Union reduced demand for Belarusian timber exports.

Throughout this period, state forestry institutions remained central to market operations. Regulatory measures, including a presidential decree in August 2022 setting price lists and sales rules, and amendments to the Forest Code in 2023 governing the harvesting of secondary forest resources, shaped the market framework as overall consumption fell.

Production coniferous roundwood in Belarus

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

From 2017 to 2020, Belarus ranked 13th globally in the production volume of coniferous roundwood.

Top producers of coniferous roundwood, 2017-2020

World map of production of coniferous roundwood, 2017-2020

Coniferous roundwood production in Belarus declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Belarus produced 20 360 K m³ of coniferous roundwood, which is 3.7% less than in 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 7.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.5%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 22 945 K m³, marking the largest increase of 21.5% that year. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 7.8%.

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

Exports coniferous roundwood from Belarus

Exports in kind, K m³

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports varied significantly, with a low of 3 K m³ in 2018 and a high in 2017, resulting in a 349-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Belarus exported 277 K m³ of coniferous roundwood, representing a substantial increase of 156.8% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 99.7%, while the most significant increase occurred in 2019, soaring by 3 285.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Romania, Poland, and Lithuania formed the core group of markets for exports in kind. Romania accounted for 46.9% of exports, Poland for 29.8%, and Lithuania for 6.7%. Together, these three countries represented 83.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Export volumes peaked in 2017 and reached their minimum in 2018, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 393 times. In 2020, coniferous roundwood deliveries from Belarus amounted to 6 229 K US dollars, showing a dramatic increase of 144.6% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 99.7%, while the most significant increase occurred in 2019, rising by 2 015.4%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Romania, Poland, and Lithuania remained the key partners for exports in value terms. Romania accounted for 47.3% of exports, Poland for 27.4%, and Lithuania for 6.3%. Collectively, these three countries represented 81.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports coniferous roundwood to Belarus

Imports in kind, K m³

After a two-year gain, imported volumes of coniferous roundwood in Belarus declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 2 K m³, corresponding to a dramatic decrease of 25.2% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 9.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.2%. The highest import level was recorded in 2019 at 3 K m³, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, rising by 20.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia dominated the country structure of imports in kind, with a share of 98.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Coniferous roundwood imports in Belarus declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Belarus imported approximately 159 K US dollars of coniferous roundwood, indicating an abrupt decrease of 47.8% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 43.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 17.1%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 321 K US dollars, marking the largest increase of 15.3% that year.

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

In 2017 to 2020, the geographical pattern of imports in value terms reflected a strong dependence on Russia, which absorbed 99.7% of total flows.

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

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