Wood fuel market in Albania

Earlier Report Observations

The Albanian wood fuel market demonstrated relative stability at the outset, with its volume hovering around 736-738 thousand m³ in 2018 and 2019. A contraction followed in 2020, reducing consumption to 703 thousand m³. During this time, regional dynamics in Kosovo pointed to a heavy reliance on biomass for heating, coupled with rising institutional support for alternative energy sources such as solar panels, factors that could indirectly shape heating fuel demand across the Balkans.

Market volume surged to 840 thousand m³ in 2021, marking a significant recovery. This upward trend was short-lived, however, as the market dropped back to 703 thousand m³ in 2022 and experienced a further decline to 674 thousand m³ in 2023. Parallel reports from North Macedonia noted a rise in wood cutting for fuel during 2022, signaling active regional demand for heating wood, although the Albanian market followed its own distinct trajectory in this period.

Production wood fuel in Albania

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Top producers of wood fuel, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood fuel, 2017-2020

In 2020, Albania produced 762 thousand cubic meters of wood fuel, marking a 3.1% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 33.8%, which translates to an average annual decline of 12.8%. The most significant drop occurred in 2018, with a 33.0% reduction, while 2019 saw a modest increase of 2.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Following two years of decline, Albania's wood fuel production value rebounded. In 2020, the output was valued at 61 394 thousand US dollars, showing a 22.6% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, however, production value decreased by 28.1%, averaging an annual decline of 10.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 50 061 thousand US dollars, with the largest drop of 39.6% occurring in 2018.

Annual dynamics of production in Albania in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports wood fuel from Albania

Exports in kind, m³

Albania's wood fuel exports grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 61 371 cubic meters, up 10.6% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 5.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.8%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 41 470 cubic meters, which saw a 28.7% decline. In contrast, 2019 experienced a significant increase of 33.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy remained the top destination for Albania's wood fuel exports in volume, capturing 87.6% of total flows, while the remaining share was distributed among various other markets.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Albania's wood fuel export value continued to rise for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 4 947 thousand US dollars, a sharp 40.0% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 14.5%, averaging 4.6% per year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 776 thousand US dollars, which saw a 35.7% decline.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy was the leading market for Albania's wood fuel exports in value terms, accounting for 83.7% of total flows, with other countries forming a diverse group of smaller partners.

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

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

Imports wood fuel to Albania

Imports in kind, m³

The import market for wood fuel in Albania showed notable volatility during the observed period. Volumes peaked in 2017 and fell to their lowest in 2020, representing a 10.7-fold decrease. In 2020, imports stood at 2 654 cubic meters, a steep 62.9% drop from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 76.9% decrease, while 2019 saw a modest increase of 9.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Montenegro, Bulgaria, and Serbia were the main sources for Albania's wood fuel imports in volume, with shares of 32.5%, 30.2%, and 26.7% respectively, collectively accounting for 89.4% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Albania's wood fuel import value declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports were valued at 219 thousand US dollars, down 37.4% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, import value decreased by 83.6%, averaging an annual decline of 45.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—Bulgaria, Serbia, and Montenegro—together made up 87.0% of Albania's total wood fuel import value.

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

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