Wood fuel market in Czechia

Earlier Report Observations

The wood fuel market in Czechia expanded from 3 720 thousand m³ in 2018 to 6 004 thousand m³ in 2020, driven primarily by a severe bark beetle infestation that peaked in 2018. This led to extensive harvesting of damaged wood, boosting supply, while state-owned forestry companies like Lesy ČR actively sold fuel wood to households, increasing market access. By 2019, continued harvests caused prices to drop by up to 40%, supporting high consumption volumes.

After 2020, the market contracted steadily, reaching 2 242 thousand m³ by 2023. The decline began as the bark beetle calamity subsided, reducing the supply of cheap wood. In 2022, the energy crisis and war in Ukraine sparked a sharp demand increase as households switched to wood heating, but limited supply pushed prices up by over 110% and attracted new sellers. By 2023, demand fell as energy concerns eased, leading to market shrinkage and the exit of some recent entrants, with consumers shifting towards using wood more for decoration than heating.

From 2024, regulatory changes such as the ban on low-emission boilers and subsidy programs for efficient heating systems influenced consumer preferences. While rising electricity and gas prices in 2025 maintained interest in wood as an economical alternative, the market saw a trend towards stabilization and ecological considerations.

Production wood fuel in Czechia

In kind, 2018-2021, K m³

Top producers of wood fuel, 2018-2021

World map of production of wood fuel, 2018-2021

After two years of growth, Czechia's wood fuel production volume declined. In 2021, production reached 5 110 K m³, marking a significant 24.0% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production increased by 20.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.4%. The highest production level was recorded in 2020 at 6 726 K m³, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2019 at 39.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Czechia in kind, 2018-2021, K m³

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Following two years of growth, Czechia's wood fuel production value declined. In 2021, the output was valued at 384.5 M $ US, representing an 18.1% decrease year-over-year. Between 2018 and 2021, production value increased by 12.2%, corresponding to an annualized growth rate of 3.9%. The peak value was recorded in 2020 at 469.5 M $ US, with the largest annual increase occurring in 2019 at 24.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Czechia in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports wood fuel from Czechia

Exports in kind, K m³

In 2021, Czechia's cross-border shipments of wood fuel amounted to 1 839 K m³, showing a strong 14.3% increase compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports grew by 4.7%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 1.5%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 609 K m³, which also saw the largest annual decline of 8.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Czechia in kind, 2018-2021, K m³

From 2018 to 2021, the main destinations for Czechia's wood fuel exports in volume terms were Austria (41.8% of exports), Germany (26.4% of exports), and Slovakia (13.5% of exports). Together, these three countries accounted for 81.7% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Czechia in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, Czechia's wood fuel export value increased. In 2021, exports reached 138.4 M $ US, reflecting a strong 23.2% gain compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, export value decreased by 2.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -0.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 112.4 M $ US, while the largest annual decline occurred in 2019 at 18.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Czechia in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, the leading destinations for Czechia's wood fuel exports in value terms were Austria (43.0% of exports), Italy (25.1% of exports), and Germany (17.0% of exports). Collectively, these three markets represented 85.1% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Czechia in value, 2018-2021

Imports wood fuel to Czechia

Imports in kind, K m³

Czechia's wood fuel import volumes declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports totaled 862 K m³, showing a slight 2.9% decrease compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, imports decreased by 30%, corresponding to an average annual decline rate of 11.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Czechia in kind, 2018-2021, K m³

From 2018 to 2021, the main sources for Czechia's wood fuel imports in volume terms were Germany (37.5% of imports), Poland (21.4% of imports), and Austria (18.8% of imports). Together, these three countries accounted for 77.7% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Czechia in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, Czechia's wood fuel import value increased. In 2021, imports reached 40.1 M $ US, up by 21.3% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, import value decreased by 16.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 33.1 M $ US, which also saw the largest annual decline of 20.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Czechia in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Throughout 2018 to 2021, the three largest markets for Czechia's wood fuel imports in value terms were Poland, Germany, and Ukraine. Together, they accounted for 65.8% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Czechia in value, 2018-2021