Wood fuel market in Argentina

Earlier Report Observations

After a sharp contraction in 2019 to 3 251 thsd m³, Argentina's wood fuel market volume rebounded over the next three years, peaking at 4 013 thsd m³ in 2022. The increase in 2022 was fueled by households stockpiling heating wood amid concerns over energy availability and rising prices of alternative fuels. The following year, warmer weather led to a slump in household heating demand, pulling market volume down to 3 241 thsd m³ in 2023.

The market has long been shaped by regional preferences for specific wood species and the presence of a significant informal sector, especially in areas without natural gas infrastructure. From 2022 onward, the growth of e‑commerce facilitated access to wood stoves and pellets, changing distribution channels. By 2024, online platforms reported growing searches and sales for these heating appliances, indicating a sustained shift in consumer purchasing behavior.

Production wood fuel in Argentina

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Top producers of wood fuel, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood fuel, 2017-2020

In 2020, Argentina produced 3 390 K m³ of wood fuel, marking a modest increase of 1.3% compared to 2019. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually declined by 16.8%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 5.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 3 345 K m³, while the peak occurred in 2018 with 4 079 K m³. The most significant drop in production was observed in 2019, when it fell by 18.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Wood fuel production in Argentina continued its downward trend for the third year in a row. In 2020, the value of wood fuel output stood at 473.4 M $ US, reflecting a substantial decline of 13.4% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 29.5%, averaging an annualized rate of 11.0%.

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

Exports wood fuel from Argentina

Exports in kind, K m³

Argentina's wood fuel exports grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 111.3 K m³ of wood fuel, showing a solid increase of 14.7% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, export volumes rose by 13.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.4%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 95.8 K m³, and that year also saw the largest decline of 2.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Chile, Italy, and Brazil were the leading destinations for Argentina's wood fuel exports in volume terms. Chile accounted for 49.7% of exports, Italy for 23.8%, and Brazil for 12.2%. Together, these three countries represented 85.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Argentina's wood fuel exports were valued at 15 545 K $ US, showing a slight decrease of 2.0% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value declined by 3.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -1.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 15 500 K $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 4.1%. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest increase of 2.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Chile, Italy, and the United States were the key partners for Argentina's wood fuel exports in value terms. Chile contributed 43.6% of export value, Italy 33.4%, and the United States 10.1%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 87.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports wood fuel to Argentina

Imports in kind, K m³

Argentina's wood fuel imports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import volume totaled 0.8 K m³, representing a sharp reduction of 69.3% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports plummeted by 97.3%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -70.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Uruguay was the primary and nearly exclusive source for Argentina's wood fuel imports in volume terms, accounting for 91.7% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Argentina's wood fuel imports continued to decline for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 2 505 K $ US, showing a robust decrease of 15.5% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, import value fell by 41.5%, averaging an annualized decline of 16.4%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, the United States, France, and Chile were the main suppliers of wood fuel to Argentina in value terms. The United States accounted for 37.0% of imports, France for 28.3%, and Chile for 21.9%. Together, these three countries comprised 87.2% of total import value.

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

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