Roundwood coniferous market in Switzerland

Earlier Report Observations

After reaching 3 032 thousand m³ in 2018, the Swiss coniferous roundwood market volume declined to 2 629 thousand m³ in 2019. A recovery followed in 2020, with volume growing to 2 949 thousand m³, aided by improved wood availability as forests recovered from previous dry periods.

Growth continued in 2021 to 2 964 thousand m³, supported by a sharp rise in international construction timber prices which stimulated local production. Market volume peaked at 3 111 thousand m³ in 2022, partly due to increased use of local wood in response to the energy crisis and geopolitical tensions, alongside federal measures to adapt forestry to climate change. In 2023, volume decreased to 2 912 thousand m³.

Production coniferous roundwood in Switzerland

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Top producers of coniferous roundwood, 2017-2020

World map of production of coniferous roundwood, 2017-2020

Switzerland produced 3,242 thousand cubic meters of roundwood coniferous in 2020, marking a 7.5% increase from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 10.8%, which translates to an annualized rate of 3.5%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 3,494 thousand cubic meters, representing a 19.5% increase that year. However, the largest decline occurred in 2019, with production falling by 13.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output of roundwood coniferous in Switzerland was valued at 265.8 million US dollars, showing a 10.9% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value rose by 4.3%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 1.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 311.3 million US dollars, reflecting a 22.2% increase. Conversely, the lowest value occurred in 2019 at 239.6 million US dollars, which saw a significant decline of 23.0%.

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

Exports coniferous roundwood from Switzerland

Exports in kind, K m³

Switzerland's roundwood coniferous exports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 354.8 thousand cubic meters, representing a sharp contraction of 24.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 16.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.8%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2018 at 565.8 thousand cubic meters, which saw the largest increase of 33.3% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, France, and Austria formed the core of Switzerland's roundwood coniferous exports in kind. Italy accounted for 41.4% of exports, France for 25.5%, and Austria for 24.2%. Together, these three countries represented 91.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Switzerland's roundwood coniferous exports declined for the second consecutive year in value terms. In 2020, exports amounted to 29,089 thousand US dollars, down by 22.3% from the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 21.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.7%. The highest export value was recorded in 2018 at 50,422 thousand US dollars, which experienced the largest increase of 36.4%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 25.8%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Italy, France, and Austria consistently led Switzerland's roundwood coniferous exports in value terms. Italy accounted for 38.7% of exports, France for 27.5%, and Austria for 25.7%. Collectively, these three countries made up 91.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports coniferous roundwood to Switzerland

Imports in kind, K m³

Switzerland's roundwood coniferous imports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 62.0 thousand cubic meters, down by 27.0% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 54.2%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 22.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany and France were the dominant suppliers of roundwood coniferous to Switzerland in kind. Together, they accounted for 91.7% of total imports, with other partners playing a less significant role.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Switzerland's roundwood coniferous imports declined for the third consecutive year in value terms. In 2020, imports totaled 7,881 thousand US dollars, equivalent to a significant drop of 13.2% versus the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 37.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -14.6%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the country structure of Switzerland's roundwood coniferous imports in value terms was primarily shaped by Germany and France. Together, they accounted for 85.2% of total import flows, while other markets formed a long tail.

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

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