Veneer sheets market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The German market for veneer sheets experienced considerable volatility from 2018 to 2023, with market volume reaching a high of 211.1 thousand m³ in 2020 before declining to 145.0 thousand m³ by 2023. This downturn was partly linked to a 2.8% drop in European veneer sheet production in 2022, which constrained supply. Simultaneously, evolving sustainability regulations like the EU FLEGT regulation influenced timber trade flows, contributing to a pronounced reduction in both imports and exports after 2020.

Underlying these shifts were technological advancements, including automated production and AI quality controls, which helped manufacturers adapt. Consumer demand increasingly favored sustainable and customized products. By 2024, the broader European market began to recover from a two-year decline, with consumption rebounding to 2.5 billion square meters, supported by ongoing activity in the construction and furniture industries.

Domestic production in Germany grew from 88.2 thousand m³ in 2018 to 115.9 thousand m³ in 2021, then stabilized around 110-111 thousand m³. Over the same period, trade volumes contracted sharply: imports fell from 256.0 thousand m³ in 2020 to 65.9 thousand m³ in 2024, while exports declined from 144.8 thousand m³ to 46.2 thousand m³, reflecting regulatory impacts and shifts in global supply patterns.

Production veneer sheets in Germany

In kind, 2017-2020, M m³

From 2017 to 2020, Germany ranked 29th globally in veneer sheets production.

Top producers of veneer sheets, 2017-2020

World map of production of veneer sheets, 2017-2020

Germany's veneer sheets production grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 0.1 million cubic meters, marking a 2.2% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 12.5%, averaging an annual growth rate of 4.0%. The lowest production level was in 2018, at 0.1 million cubic meters. That year also saw the largest decline, with a drop of 0.7%. In contrast, 2019 recorded the biggest increase, at 10.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in kind, 2017-2020, M m³

Exports veneer sheets from Germany

Exports in kind, K m³

Following two years of growth, Germany's veneer sheets exports declined. In 2020, exports fell to 145.9 thousand cubic meters, a decrease of 30.6% compared to the previous year. However, over the full 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 18.9%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 5.9%. The highest export volume was in 2019, at 210.4 thousand cubic meters, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, at 41.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's veneer sheets exports were geographically diverse. Italy accounted for 24.4% of exports in volume, Czechia for 8.8%, and China for 7.2%. Together, these three countries made up only 40.4% of total exports, with the remaining 59.6% spread across numerous smaller trading partners.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Germany's veneer sheets exports in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 147.0 million US dollars, showing a modest decrease of 6.9% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 11.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.9%. The peak value was recorded in 2018, at 167.6 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase, at 1.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States, Italy, and Czechia were significant but not dominant buyers of German veneer sheets in value terms. The United States accounted for 9.6% of exports, Italy for 8.6%, and Czechia for 7.9%. Combined, their share reached just 26.1% of total export value, indicating a broad distribution across other markets.

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

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

Imports veneer sheets to Germany

Imports in kind, K m³

Germany's veneer sheets imports showed noticeable fluctuations from 2017 to 2020. The lowest volume was in 2017, while imports peaked in 2019, with the difference between these years being two-fold. In 2020, imports amounted to 256.0 thousand cubic meters, an 8.5% decrease from 2019. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019, at 279.8 thousand cubic meters, and the largest increase occurred in 2018, at 71.2%.

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

The country composition of Germany's veneer sheets imports in volume from 2017 to 2020 was dispersed. Czechia contributed 12.1% of imports, the United States 11.9%, and Austria 11.7%. Together, these three countries accounted for only 35.7% of total imports, with the remaining 64.3% distributed among a wide range of other partners.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Germany's veneer sheets imports in value terms reached 176.8 million US dollars, up by 5.0% compared to 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2019, at 168.3 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2018, at 182.7 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 7.9%.

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

An analysis of Germany's veneer sheets imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 reveals a broad distribution across many markets. The United States accounted for 10.5% of imports, Austria for 9.2%, and Ukraine for 9.1%. Together, these three countries made up only 28.8% of total import value, with a significant 71.2% coming from other partners.

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

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