Wood fuel market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

The Belgian wood fuel market saw its volume more than halve from 3 899 thousand m³ in 2018 to 1 671 thousand m³ in 2023. This steep decline was driven by the progressive implementation of the EU's EcoDesign energy labeling rules for wood-burning heating appliances, which mandated higher efficiency standards. As new, more efficient stoves and boilers replaced older models, less fuel was required to produce the same amount of heat, reducing overall consumption.

The EcoDesign requirements were introduced in phases: starting with individual room heaters in January 2018, extending to wood boilers in January 2020, and finally covering all individual wood heating systems in January 2022. This regulatory sequence steadily compressed demand for wood fuel, reflected in a sustained drop in imports from 4 114 thousand m³ to 2 563 thousand m³ over the period. While domestic production remained unchanged at 893 thousand m³ per year, rising exports until 2022 further reduced the volume available on the domestic market.

Production wood fuel in Belgium

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Top producers of wood fuel, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood fuel, 2017-2020

In 2020, Belgium produced 892.8 K m³ of wood fuel, maintaining stable production levels compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a 0.0% change, while the largest increase was also recorded in 2018 at 0.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Belgium's wood fuel output was valued at 101.4 M $ US, showing a modest increase of 1.2% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.0%. The highest value was reached in 2018 at 113.2 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 15.0%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the most significant decline of 11.5%.

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

Exports wood fuel from Belgium

Exports in kind, K m³

Belgium's wood fuel exports continued to grow for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 1 539 K m³. This represented a substantial increase of 18.1% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports rose by 50.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 14.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Germany, and the Netherlands were the primary markets for Belgium's wood fuel exports in kind. France accounted for 47.9% of exports, Germany for 19.6%, and the Netherlands for 17.6%, together representing 85.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Belgium's wood fuel exports in value terms increased for the third year in a row in 2020, amounting to 174.9 M $ US. This marked a 19.5% rise compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 54.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 15.7%.

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

During 2017-2020, France, Germany, and the Netherlands remained the key markets for Belgium's wood fuel exports in value terms, collectively accounting for 85.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports wood fuel to Belgium

Imports in kind, K m³

In 2020, Belgium imported 3 690 K m³ of wood fuel, reflecting a limited gain of 6.3% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 9.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.2%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 4 114 K m³, while the lowest was in 2019 at 3 471 K m³. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 15.6% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Germany, and the Netherlands were the main sources of wood fuel imports in kind to Belgium. The United States contributed 23.1% of imports, Germany 17.6%, and the Netherlands 14.3%, together making up 54.9% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Belgium's wood fuel imports were valued at 311.5 M $ US, indicating a moderate uptick of 6.3% compared to the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 322.7 M $ US, while the lowest was in 2019 at 292.9 M $ US. The largest decline took place in 2019, with a 9.2% decrease.

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

During 2017-2020, the United States, the Netherlands, and Russia were the primary destinations for Belgium's wood fuel imports in value terms. The United States accounted for 32.4% of imports, the Netherlands for 14.6%, and Russia for 12.0%, together representing 59.0% of total import flows.

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

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