Roundwood coniferous market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Earlier Report Observations

After reaching a record harvest volume in 2018, coniferous roundwood production in Russia declined in 2019 due to a market surplus of raw materials and issues with winter logging operations. This led to a reduction in harvesting by approximately 20 million cubic meters. The market stabilized in 2020 with a slight dip, but in 2021, production edged upward as the industry anticipated the upcoming ban on exports of unprocessed wood. During this period, the domestic market size grew from 265.3 million cubic meters in 2020 to 271.5 million cubic meters in 2021, supported by a decrease in exports ahead of the regulatory change.

A pivotal shift occurred in January 2022 with the introduction of a ban on exports of unprocessed coniferous and valuable hardwood roundwood. This policy aimed to preserve forest resources and stimulate deep processing within the country. While it prompted a reorientation toward domestic processing and new export markets in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the CIS, the immediate effect was a contraction in both production and overall market volume. Production fell from 284.6 million cubic meters in 2021 to 263.5 million cubic meters in 2022 and further to 242.0 million cubic meters in 2023. Correspondingly, the market size dropped to 255.8 million cubic meters in 2022 and 236.1 million cubic meters in 2023. Industry adaptation continued into 2024, marked by Russian producers seeking new sales channels and logistics routes, a decline in sawnwood exports, and increased exports of unprocessed birch and soft-leaved species not subject to the ban.

Production coniferous roundwood in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

In kind, 2017-2020, M m³

Top producers of coniferous roundwood, 2017-2020

World map of production of coniferous roundwood, 2017-2020

Roundwood coniferous production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, production reached 282.4 million cubic meters, marking a 0.7% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production grew by 6%, which translates to an average annual increase of 2.0%. The peak production occurred in 2018 at 298.8 million cubic meters. The most significant drop was in 2019, with a 4.8% decline, while the largest rise was in 2018, with a 12.1% increase.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, M m³

Exports coniferous roundwood from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Exports in kind, K m³

In 2020, Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) exported 23 013 thousand cubic meters of roundwood coniferous, representing a 13.9% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports rose by 3.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.2%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 20 198 thousand cubic meters, while the highest was in 2018 at 23 361 thousand cubic meters. The most substantial decline occurred in 2019, with a 13.5% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

From 2017 to 2020, the top destinations for roundwood coniferous exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) were China, accounting for 27.0% of exports in kind, Austria with 24.4%, and Germany at 12.4%. Together, these three countries made up 63.8% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Roundwood coniferous shipments from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined for the second consecutive year in value terms. In 2020, exports totaled 1 546 million US dollars, reflecting a 1.9% decrease year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value fell by 15.2%, with an average annual decline of 5.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 000 million US dollars. The most significant decrease occurred in 2019, with a 21.2% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a 9.7% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Throughout 2017-2020, China remained the leading partner in value terms, accounting for 38.0% of exports, followed by Austria at 23.1% and Germany at 10.1%. These three countries together represented 71.3% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020

Imports coniferous roundwood to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Imports in kind, K m³

The market showed an unstable trend over the period. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2017, while the highest was in 2020, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 14.2 times. In 2020, imports totaled 5 954 thousand cubic meters, indicating a dramatic increase of 738.6% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 76.5% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

From 2017 to 2020, Germany was the largest contributor to imports in kind, accounting for 12.3%, followed by Europe, not elsewhere specified at 3.7%, and Austria at 2.5%. Together, these sources made up 18.5% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, cross-border shipments of roundwood coniferous to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) amounted to 345 million US dollars, representing a 62.8% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value grew by 36.3%, equating to an average annual rate of 10.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 212 million US dollars. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a 23.8% decrease.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The market base for imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was diverse. Germany accounted for 10.7% of imports, Europe, not elsewhere specified for 7.1%, and Austria for 3.5%, together making up 21.3% of total flows. The remaining 78.7% was distributed among numerous other countries.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020