Roundwood coniferous market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

The coniferous roundwood market in Belgium opened the period at 6.7 million m³ in 2018, a year marked by the launch of the Walloon 'Parc à grumes' to improve the sale of quality timber from public forests. A severe bark beetle outbreak in 2019 heavily damaged spruce stands, reducing available supply and prompting large-scale log exports, which contributed to a 35% market contraction to 4.3 million m³.

Market volume recovered to 5.3 million m³ in 2020 as increased imports compensated for harvest delays caused by COVID-19 containment measures. Volatility continued in 2021 when exceptional export demand for coniferous sawnwood drove prices sharply higher, but raw material shortages linked to the earlier beetle crisis limited the market to 4.8 million m³. Persistently strong demand for sawnwood helped sustain the market at 5.0 million m³ in 2022, even as prices for spruce stabilized near pre-crisis levels.

A notable expansion occurred in 2023, with the market growing 31% to 6.5 million m³, its highest level since 2018. This surge was supported by robust firewood consumption, which counterbalanced a slowdown in construction activity, alongside a rise in imports despite broader European forecasts of falling coniferous wood production.

Production coniferous roundwood in Belgium

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Top producers of coniferous roundwood, 2017-2020

World map of production of coniferous roundwood, 2017-2020

In 2020, Belgium produced 3 377 K m³ of roundwood coniferous, which remained virtually unchanged compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 5.6%, representing an annualized decline of 1.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 3 377 K m³, which also saw the largest decline of 5.6%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest increase, though it was minimal at 0.0%.

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

Exports coniferous roundwood from Belgium

Exports in kind, K m³

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a 3.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Belgium's roundwood coniferous export volume totaled 1 884 K m³, marking a 25.8% increase compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 535 K m³, which also saw the largest decline of 1.3%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a significant rise of 180.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main markets for Belgium's roundwood coniferous exports in kind were China, accounting for 52.1% of exports, Germany with 20.1%, and France at 11.9%. Together, these three countries represented 84.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Roundwood coniferous exports in Belgium increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 153.9 M $ US, showing a dramatic improvement of 25.5% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 98%, equating to an annualized rate of 25.6%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 77.0 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 0.9%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 59.3%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the key destinations for Belgium's roundwood coniferous exports in value terms were China, accounting for 35.9% of exports, France with 20.2%, and Germany at 19.3%. Together, these three countries comprised 75.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports coniferous roundwood to Belgium

Imports in kind, K m³

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. Import volumes bottomed in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 1.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Belgium imported approximately 3 779 K m³ of roundwood coniferous, representing a 53.4% increase year-over-year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 3 856 K m³, which also saw the largest increase of 71.9%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 36.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources for Belgium's roundwood coniferous imports in kind were the Netherlands, accounting for 43.5% of imports, Germany with 25.4%, and Luxembourg at 12.4%. Together, these three countries accounted for 81.2% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Belgium's imported roundwood coniferous volumes amounted to 121.9 M $ US, which is 9.0% more than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 3.1%, equating to an annualized decline of 1.0%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 111.8 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 24.0%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 147.1 M $ US, which experienced the largest increase of 16.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the largest share of Belgium's roundwood coniferous imports in value terms came from Germany, accounting for 34.6% of imports, Luxembourg with 20.4%, and France at 20.3%. Together, these three countries comprised 75.3% of total import flows.

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

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