Wood fuel market in CIS

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the wood fuel market in the CIS contracted from 25.2 million m³ to 16.6 million m³. This decline was driven by long-term demographic shifts, urbanization, and the expansion of gas infrastructure, which reduced household reliance on wood for heating, alongside competition from alternative fuels like coal.

A slight recovery to 17.0 million m³ occurred in 2021, coinciding with rising global demand for wood products in Asian markets. The market transformed in 2022 after Russia's full ban on unprocessed timber exports and the European Union's import ban drastically reduced export volumes. This redirected supply to the domestic market, causing a sharp expansion to 24.9 million m³.

By 2023, the market stabilized around 24.8 million m³ as the industry adapted. Export flows were reoriented toward eastern markets, particularly China and other CIS countries, while the sustained export ban on unprocessed timber until the end of 2025 continued to support internal consumption and state procurement programs.

Production wood fuel in CIS

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Top producers of wood fuel, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood fuel, 2017-2020

Wood fuel production in the CIS declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, production reached 32 384 thousand cubic meters, marking a slight decrease of 3.0% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 2.4%, which translates to an average annual increase of 0.8%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 35 922 thousand cubic meters. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 7.1%, while the most significant increase was in 2018, at 13.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Wood fuel production in the CIS declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 1 378 million US dollars, reflecting a gradual decrease of 6.1% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production increased by 15.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.9%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 1 588 million US dollars. The largest decline was in 2019, at 7.6%, while the most substantial increase was in 2018, at 33.1%.

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

Exports wood fuel from CIS

Exports in kind, K m³

Wood fuel exports from the CIS increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export volume amounted to 15 831 thousand cubic meters, representing a strong uptick of 11.9% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 81.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 22.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Finland, Poland, and Denmark remained the top buyers of wood fuel from the CIS. Finland accounted for 30.2% of exports in kind, Poland for 17.1%, and Denmark for 12.3%. Together, these three countries represented 59.7% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Wood fuel exports from the CIS increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 673.6 million US dollars, up by 8.3% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 105%, with an annualized rate of 27.0%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Finland, Denmark, and Lithuania were the largest contributors to wood fuel exports in value terms. Finland accounted for 22.5% of exports, Denmark for 22.0%, and Lithuania for 9.8%. Collectively, these three countries made up 54.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports wood fuel to CIS

Imports in kind, K m³

After a two-year increase, cross-border shipments of wood fuel to the CIS declined. In 2020, imports came to 56 thousand cubic meters, which is 17.9% lower than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 9.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.9%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 68 thousand cubic meters, with the largest increase also occurring in 2019 at 26.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner landscape for imports in kind was diverse. Indonesia, Germany, and Ukraine were the top sources, with Indonesia accounting for 16.6% of imports, Germany for 7.4%, and Ukraine for 7.3%. Together, these three countries formed only 31.4% of total flows, while a substantial 68.6% came from many other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year uptick, imported wood fuel volumes to the CIS declined. In 2020, the CIS imported a total of 23.2 million US dollars of wood fuel, showing a robust reduction of 19.1% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.3%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 28.7 million US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 17.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Indonesia, Germany, and Poland consistently held leading positions in the country structure of imports in value terms. Indonesia accounted for 33.3% of imports, Germany for 12.5%, and Poland for 4.8%. Together, these three countries represented 50.6% of total import flows.

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

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