Roundwood coniferous market in Lithuania

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, Lithuania's timber industry was characterized by a diversity of companies of various sizes and specializations, most oriented toward the domestic market or exports. The raw material structure was suboptimal, with a large share of firewood and thin logs, while the proportion of in-demand coniferous logs was relatively low at 29%. The market volume for coniferous roundwood began to grow, rising from 2.3 million m³ in 2018 to 2.5 million m³ in 2020. This increase was partly driven by the COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain disruptions in 2020, which caused a sharp rise in roundwood prices. A rainy winter limited supply, while growing demand for biofuel reduced the availability of cheaper raw material, affecting trade flows and supporting domestic consumption.

In 2021, supply chain disruptions and high demand continued to sustain elevated prices, while the timber industry modernized to improve efficiency. Market volume expanded to 2.8 million m³. The following year, sanctions against Russia cut Russian roundwood exports by 70%, creating supply shortages across Europe. In Lithuania, this spurred local production, which jumped to 4.2 million m³, and market volume surged to 3.5 million m³ as less wood was exported and more remained for domestic use.

By 2023, Lithuania's roundwood imports had increased by 35%, primarily from Poland, reflecting shifts in regional supply chains following the sanctions. Coniferous wood exports rose by 17%, but overall market volume continued to grow, reaching 3.6 million m³, indicating steady domestic demand and industry adaptation.

Production coniferous roundwood in Lithuania

In kind, 2018-2021, K m³

Top producers of coniferous roundwood, 2018-2021

World map of production of coniferous roundwood, 2018-2021

Lithuania's roundwood coniferous production increased in 2021, following a two-year decline. The country produced 3 713 K m³ that year, marking a moderate 4.0% rise compared to 2020. Production had reached its lowest point in 2020 at 3 570 K m³, which also saw the largest decline of 2.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021, K m³

Exports coniferous roundwood from Lithuania

Exports in kind, K m³

Lithuania's roundwood coniferous exports declined for the third consecutive year in 2021. Exports totaled 1 123 K m³, reflecting a moderate 8.6% decrease from 2020. From 2018 to 2021, exports fell by 25.3%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 9.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021, K m³

Between 2018 and 2021, Latvia, Poland, and Finland were the top contributors to Lithuania's roundwood coniferous exports in kind. Latvia accounted for 63.7% of exports, Poland for 10.5%, and Finland for 8.4%, together making up 82.6% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

Lithuania's roundwood coniferous exports in value terms increased in 2021, after a two-year reduction. The country exported 113.4 M $ US worth of roundwood coniferous, up 38.8% year-over-year. However, from 2018 to 2021, exports decreased by 15.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 81.7 M $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 28.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Lithuania in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Latvia, China, and Poland were the key partners for Lithuania's roundwood coniferous exports in value terms. Latvia represented 67.3% of exports, China 10.7%, and Poland 6.9%, collectively accounting for 84.9% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Lithuania in value, 2018-2021

Imports coniferous roundwood to Lithuania

Imports in kind, K m³

Lithuania's imports of roundwood coniferous increased for the third consecutive year in 2021. Imports totaled 168 K m³, up 16.2% from the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports grew by 79%, with a compound annual growth rate of 21.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021, K m³

Between 2018 and 2021, Poland was the leading supplier of roundwood coniferous to Lithuania in kind, accounting for 86.6% of total imports. The remaining imports were distributed among various other countries.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

The market showed an unstable trend from 2018 to 2021. Imports in value terms bottomed out in 2018 and peaked in 2021, with a two-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Lithuania imported 15.5 M $ US of roundwood coniferous, a 71.6% increase year-over-year. The largest decline occurred in 2020, at 4.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Lithuania in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Poland was by far the main source for Lithuania's roundwood coniferous imports in value terms, representing 90.7% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Lithuania in value, 2018-2021