Roundwood coniferous market in France, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the coniferous roundwood market in France experienced notable fluctuations in both volume and value. The market volume, measured in physical terms, started at 18.9 million m³ in 2018, saw a modest dip to 18.2 million m³ in 2020, then surged to a peak of 20.5 million m³ in 2021. This growth was followed by a contraction in the subsequent years, falling to 19.5 million m³ in 2022 and 18.1 million m³ in 2023. In monetary terms, the market value followed a similar pattern, declining from $1.9 billion in 2018 to $1.5 billion in 2020, recovering to $1.8 billion in 2021, and reaching $1.9 billion in 2022 before dropping to $1.8 billion in 2023.

The decline in market volume in 2023 was primarily driven by a sharp collapse in individual house construction in France, which significantly reduced demand for new construction wood. This was compounded by a 5% price decrease for white softwoods like fir and spruce, with steeper falls during autumn sales. Forest owners also reduced the volumes they brought to market, anticipating an uncertain construction outlook, while the public forest agency reported an 11% drop in mobilized volumes.

Production coniferous roundwood in France

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Between 2017 and 2020, France ranked as the 15th largest producer of roundwood coniferous globally.

Top producers of coniferous roundwood, 2017-2020

World map of production of coniferous roundwood, 2017-2020

Following two years of growth, France's roundwood coniferous production volume experienced a decline. In 2020, production reached 18 611 K m³, marking a 3.8% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 3.1%, which translates to an annualized rate of 1.0%. The peak production was recorded in 2019 at 19 355 K m³, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 0.7% rise.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Roundwood coniferous production in France saw a decline for the second year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 1 478 M $ US, reflecting a slight year-on-year decrease of 1.3%. The highest value was achieved in 2018 at 1 934 M $ US. The most significant decline took place in 2019 with a 22.5% drop, whereas the largest increase was recorded in 2018 with a 30.8% surge.

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

Exports coniferous roundwood from France

Exports in kind, K m³

In 2020, France's foreign roundwood coniferous exports totaled 1 045 K m³, showing a substantial reduction of 17.4% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 29.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -11.1%. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 20.7% drop, while the largest increase was in 2019 with a 7.2% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Belgium, Germany, and Italy were the top buyers of roundwood coniferous from France, accounting for 28.8%, 21.2%, and 17.0% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, they represented 67.0% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Roundwood coniferous exports from France declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the export volume amounted to 83.0 M $ US, representing a 15.3% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 27.6%, with a CAGR of -10.2%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 118.0 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 17.0% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018 with a 3.0% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, Germany, and Italy remained the leading destinations for France's roundwood coniferous exports in value terms, with shares of 26.9%, 21.3%, and 15.9%, respectively. Their combined share accounted for 64.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports coniferous roundwood to France

Imports in kind, K m³

Roundwood coniferous imports into France declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 625 K m³, which is 17.4% lower than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 17.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.2%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 039 K m³. The largest decline took place in 2019 with a 27.2% drop, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 37.2% rise.

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

During 2017–2020, Germany, Spain, and Switzerland were the principal suppliers of roundwood coniferous to France, accounting for 30.7%, 19.4%, and 16.3% of imports in kind, respectively. Together, they made up 66.4% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Roundwood coniferous imports into France declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 63.1 M $ US, marking a sharp decrease of 30.6% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 31.7%, with an annualized rate of 11.9%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 97.7 M $ US. The largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 5.6% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, Finland, and Switzerland continued to lead as suppliers of roundwood coniferous to France in value terms, with shares of 28.8%, 17.8%, and 12.7%, respectively. Their combined share accounted for 59.2% of total imports in value terms.

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

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