Wood fuel market in Austria

Earlier Report Observations

The Austrian wood fuel market opened the period at 8.0 million m³ in 2018, supported by production increases across major manufacturers and the entry of new players like Johann Pabst Holzindustrie. Market volume then drifted downward to 7.8 million m³ in 2019 and 7.3 million m³ in 2020. A more pronounced contraction followed in 2021, when the market shrank to 6.3 million m³ as a shortage of skilled labor constrained production capacity and raised costs.

A recovery began in 2022, with the market expanding to 7.3 million m³. This turnaround was aided by the introduction of the ÖNORM C4005 quality standard for wood chips and increased policy support for biomass energy. Growth continued in 2023, reaching 8.1 million m³, driven by supply disruptions from the Ukraine war and a rising trend in wood-based construction.

By 2024, the market faced the influence of the energy crisis, which heightened wood's role as an alternative fuel, and the entry into force of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), adding new compliance dimensions for the industry.

Production wood fuel in Austria

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Top producers of wood fuel, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood fuel, 2017-2020

Austria's wood fuel production volume declined after two years of growth. In 2019, production reached its peak at 5 579 K m³, but by 2020 it had fallen to 5 327 K m³, representing a 4.5% decrease. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 8.5%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.8%. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, when production rose by 6.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Austria's wood fuel production value declined after two years of gains. In 2019, output peaked at 629.4 M $ US, but in 2020 it dropped to 572.4 M $ US, marking a 9.1% decrease compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 17.3%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 5.5%. The most significant increase was recorded in 2018, with a 20.7% rise.

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

Exports wood fuel from Austria

Exports in kind, K m³

Austria exported 2 180 K m³ of wood fuel in 2020, up 2.3% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 9.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.0%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 2 291 K m³. In 2019, exports saw their largest decline of 7.0%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2018 with a 15.0% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy was the primary market for Austria's wood fuel exports, accounting for 75.6% of total export volume. Other destinations made up a smaller portion of the export structure.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Austria's wood fuel export value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at 234.2 M $ US, down 2.5% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value increased by 18.3%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 5.7%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 257.2 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 6.6% drop, while the most significant increase was in 2018 with a 29.9% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy accounted for 82.9% of the total value of Austria's wood fuel exports. The remaining export flows were distributed among various smaller trading partners.

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

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

Imports wood fuel to Austria

Imports in kind, K m³

Austria's wood fuel import volume declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 4 164 K m³, down 3.3% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import volume decreased by 3.8%, representing an average annual decline of 1.3%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 5 094 K m³. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 15.4% drop, while the biggest increase was in 2018 with a 17.7% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Slovakia, and Czechia were consistently the leading sources of Austria's wood fuel imports by volume. Germany accounted for 44.1% of imports, Slovakia for 13.3%, and Czechia for 13.0%. Together, these three countries represented 70.3% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Austria's wood fuel import value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were valued at 298.9 M $ US, down 9.9% year-on-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 15.5%, with a compound annual decline rate of 5.4%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 298.9 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with an 18.8% drop, while the most significant increase was in 2018 with a 15.5% rise.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Germany, Czechia, and Romania formed the core group of markets for Austria's wood fuel imports by value. Germany accounted for 36.6% of import value, Czechia for 17.4%, and Romania for 9.9%. Collectively, these three countries represented 63.9% of total import flows.

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

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