Roundwood coniferous market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

The coniferous roundwood market in Spain stood at 9 835 thousand m³ in 2018, with regulatory changes under Ley 21/2015 amending forest law to govern timber purchasing processes. A dramatic export surge the following year reduced domestic market volume to 6 983 thousand m³ in 2019. Recovery commenced in 2020, lifting the market to 7 377 thousand m³, aided by rising demand for roundwood for energy use as firewood and pellet commercialization expanded.

Steady growth followed from 2021 to 2023, with the market reaching 8 869 thousand m³. This expansion was fueled by strong national and international demand for coniferous wood, which accounted for 58% of Spain's total wood demand. The global energy crisis in 2022 heightened pellet market volatility, reinforcing reliance on coniferous biomass, while industry forecasts of demand outpacing supply spurred further market activity.

Despite overall market growth, 2023 saw pressure on major players like Stora Enso, which reported a 7% sales decline in wood products due to lower sawnwood prices. By 2024, competition in forest tenders sharpened, with awarded volumes of key pine species growing by 14.9%, indicating sustained demand and driving logistical and financial transformations in the sector.

Production coniferous roundwood in Spain

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Between 2017 and 2020, Spain ranked 25th globally in roundwood coniferous production, positioning it among the world's leading producers during this period.

Top producers of coniferous roundwood, 2017-2020

World map of production of coniferous roundwood, 2017-2020

Spain's roundwood coniferous production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, production reached 7 524 K m³, marking a significant 12.3% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 14.8%, averaging an annual decline of 5.2%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 9 929 K m³, which saw a 12.5% increase. The largest drop occurred in 2019, with a 13.6% decrease.

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

Exports coniferous roundwood from Spain

Exports in kind, K m³

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 616 K m³, then peaked in 2019 at 2 135 K m³—a 3.5-fold increase. In 2020, exports from Spain fell to 694 K m³, down 67.5% from 2019. The largest surge was recorded in 2019, with a 246.3% increase.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain's roundwood coniferous exports were heavily concentrated on France, which accounted for 70.9% of total flows, while other countries made up the remaining share.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Spain's roundwood coniferous export value increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export value reached 52 375 K US$, up 18.6% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 36.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.9%.

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

During 2017-2020, two markets—France and Portugal—dominated Spain's roundwood coniferous exports in value terms, together accounting for 88.6% of total flows, with the rest distributed among other destinations.

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

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

Imports coniferous roundwood to Spain

Imports in kind, K m³

Spain imported 546 K m³ of roundwood coniferous in 2020, representing a 2.7% decline from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 57.8%, averaging an annual growth rate of 16.4%. The lowest import level was in 2018 at 339 K m³, while the highest was in 2019 at 561 K m³. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a 65.7% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France was the key supplier of roundwood coniferous to Spain, accounting for 75.0% of total imports in kind, with a diverse group of other countries making up the remainder.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Spain's roundwood coniferous import value declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import value totaled 21 469 K US$, down 13.1% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 35.6%, averaging an annual decline of 13.6%.

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

During 2017-2020, France (69.5% of import value), Poland (7.9%), and Portugal (6.0%) formed the main group of sources for Spain's roundwood coniferous imports in value terms, together accounting for 83.4% of total flows.

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

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