Roundwood coniferous market in Slovenia

Earlier Report Observations

The Slovenian coniferous roundwood market volume increased from 1.8 million m³ in 2018 to 1.9 million m³ in 2019. This growth was supported by the 2017 legal regulation on measuring and classifying forest timber assortments, which standardized procedures and was followed by the state-owned company SiDG taking over sales from state forests, enhancing supply stability. An outbreak of bark beetles further boosted roundwood availability, while EU carbon climate measures encouraged greater use of wood for energy, sustaining demand.

In 2020, strict initial pandemic measures severely disrupted roundwood purchases from private forests, yet increased imports helped maintain the market volume near 1.9 million m³. A growing foreign trade deficit for sawlogs and veneer logs in 2021 underscored strong consumption by the domestic processing industry, keeping the market stable. A major bark beetle infestation in 2022 then pushed total timber production past 4 million m³, with 78% of coniferous output as sawlogs, driving market volume to a high of 2.2 million m³ despite emerging price declines for sawnwood.

By 2023, accumulated roundwood inventories of about 200,000 m³, coupled with a global slump in softwood lumber demand, higher interest rates, and inflationary pressures, led to a market contraction to 2.0 million m³. Significant price volatility and concerns over potential mill closures reflected these adjusted conditions.

Production coniferous roundwood in Slovenia

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Top producers of coniferous roundwood, 2017-2020

World map of production of coniferous roundwood, 2017-2020

Slovenia's roundwood coniferous production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 2,106 thousand cubic meters, marking a significant 24.3% drop from 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 27.5%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 10.2%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 3,444 thousand cubic meters, when output surged by 18.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Slovenia's roundwood coniferous production value also dropped for the second consecutive year. In 2020, it was valued at 167.2 million US dollars, down 21.1% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, the value decreased by 30.8%, averaging an 11.5% annual decline. The peak was in 2018 at 317.0 million US dollars, with a 31.3% increase that year, followed by the largest drop of 33.2% in 2019.

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

Exports coniferous roundwood from Slovenia

Exports in kind, K m³

Slovenia's exports of roundwood coniferous fell for the third straight year. In 2020, exports amounted to 819 thousand cubic meters, a 31.6% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports dropped by 56.2%, with an average annual decline of 24.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Austria and Italy were the main export destinations in volume terms, together accounting for 88.8% of total exports. Other partners held much smaller shares.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Slovenia's roundwood coniferous export value declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports were worth 65.0 million US dollars, a sharp 28.7% fall from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value decreased by 58.2%, averaging a 25.2% annual drop. The highest value was in 2018 at 170.7 million US dollars, with a 9.7% increase that year, while the largest decline of 46.6% occurred in 2019.

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

During 2017-2020, Austria dominated Slovenia's roundwood coniferous exports in value terms, holding a 71.0% share of total flows. The remaining exports were spread across various other markets.

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

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

Imports coniferous roundwood to Slovenia

Imports in kind, K m³

Slovenia's imports of roundwood coniferous rose for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 593 thousand cubic meters, up 76.1% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 219.2%, with an average annual increase of 47.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Austria, Italy, and Czechia were the key sources for Slovenia's roundwood coniferous imports in volume terms. Austria accounted for 37.1%, Italy for 19.2%, and Czechia for 17.0%, together making up 73.3% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Slovenia's roundwood coniferous import value increased for the third year running. In 2020, imports totaled 37.6 million US dollars, a 55.1% rise year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value grew by 148%, with an average annual growth rate of 35.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Austria, Italy, and Czechia were the leading sources for Slovenia's roundwood coniferous imports in value terms. Austria held a 41.2% share, Italy 17.4%, and Czechia 14.3%, collectively representing 72.8% of total import value.

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

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