Roundwood coniferous market in Sweden

Earlier Report Observations

The Swedish coniferous roundwood market began the period strongly, with volume reaching 69.8 million cubic meters in 2018. This was driven by a peak in global demand for industrial wood, which elevated both consumption and prices. Market volume stabilized near 70.3 million cubic meters in 2019 as worldwide consumption eased from its previous high. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 caused temporary demand weakness and supply chain disruptions, leading to a slight contraction to 70.0 million cubic meters.

A recovery followed in 2021, spurred by the global economic rebound and renewed demand from the construction sector, which pushed market volume up by 2.6% to 71.8 million cubic meters. Subsequently, the market entered a phase characterized by rising prices and supply constraints. Steady increases in sawlog and pulpwood prices reflected strong underlying demand and limited availability, contributing to a decline in market volume to 71.0 million cubic meters in 2022. This trend intensified in 2023, with a further 4.4% drop to 67.9 million cubic meters as price pressures and supply limitations persisted.

Production coniferous roundwood in Sweden

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Sweden ranked as the world's 5th largest producer of roundwood coniferous from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of coniferous roundwood, 2017-2020

World map of production of coniferous roundwood, 2017-2020

Sweden's roundwood coniferous production increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 66 400 K m³, marking a slight rise of 1.9% compared to 2019. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 63 900 K m³, which saw the largest decline of 2.3%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 2.0% growth.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Sweden's roundwood coniferous production value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 7 220 M $ US, representing a measured contraction of 9.1% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 15.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -5.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 9 382 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 9.8%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 15.3% drop.

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

Exports coniferous roundwood from Sweden

Exports in kind, K m³

Sweden's roundwood coniferous exports increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 1 047 K m³, showing a rise of 25.7% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 11.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.6%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 715 K m³, which also experienced the largest decline of 24.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Norway (42.1% of exports in kind), Finland (14.9%), and Germany (11.9%) were consistently the main destinations for Sweden's roundwood coniferous exports, together accounting for 68.9% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After a two-year decline, Sweden's roundwood coniferous exports increased in value. In 2020, exports amounted to 113.8 M $ US, marking an uptick of 12.0% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 7.4%, equating to an annualized rate of -2.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 101.6 M $ US, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 14.6% drop.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Norway (24.4% of exports in value terms), the United Kingdom (23.2%), and Denmark (19.9%) played the leading roles in Sweden's roundwood coniferous exports by value, jointly accounting for 67.5% of total flows.

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

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

Imports coniferous roundwood to Sweden

Imports in kind, K m³

Sweden's roundwood coniferous imports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volume came to 4 658 K m³, showing a decrease of 21.6% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 2.3%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.8%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 6 613 K m³, which also saw the largest increase of 45.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Norway (49.0% of imports in kind), Finland (17.9%), and Latvia (12.6%) made the biggest contribution to Sweden's roundwood coniferous imports, jointly accounting for 79.4% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Import values reached their maximum in 2018 and dropped to a minimum in 2017, with a 1.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, roundwood coniferous deliveries to Sweden stood at 284.8 M $ US, representing a steep drop of 31.1% compared to the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 510.8 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 92.3%.

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

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

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