Wood fuel market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the wood fuel market in Eastern Europe contracted steadily, with volume falling from 47 604 thousand m³ to 40 792 thousand m³. This decline was primarily driven by the ongoing gasification of rural regions, which reduced household reliance on firewood for heating, and sustained urbanization that shifted population to cities with centralized heating systems.

The market reversed course in 2022, expanding sharply to 49 643 thousand m³. This growth coincided with a significant reduction in export volumes, making more product available for domestic consumption. In 2023, the market volume eased slightly to 48 130 thousand m³, indicating a stabilization after the previous year's surge.

Production wood fuel in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

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 Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 57 393 K m³ of wood fuel, which represents a 2.2% decrease compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 5.5%. However, the highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 62 077 K m³, which marked a significant increase of 10.4% from the year before.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of wood fuel production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) has also decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 4 201 M $ US, showing a 4.5% drop from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 6.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.2%. The peak value was reached in 2018 at 4 951 M $ US, which was a substantial 25.8% increase from the previous year. In contrast, the largest decline occurred in 2019, with an 11.1% decrease.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports wood fuel from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Exports in kind, K m³

Wood fuel exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) have increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 18 719 K m³, up by 6.9% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 26.5%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 8.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

The structure of wood fuel exports in kind from 2017 to 2020 shows a diversified set of trading partners. Finland accounted for 18.1% of exports, Germany for 8.6%, and Denmark for 8.5%. Together, these three countries represented only 35.2% of total export flows, while the remaining 64.8% was distributed among numerous smaller markets.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

In value terms, Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) exported 1 370 M $ US of wood fuel in 2020, reflecting a moderate year-on-year increase of 4.4%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports in value grew by 32.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.8%. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with a 30.2% rise, while the largest decline was in 2019, with a 2.6% decrease.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Data from 2017 to 2020 indicate that wood fuel exports in value terms from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) were not concentrated on just a few key destinations. Germany accounted for 14.0% of exports, Italy for 11.3%, and Denmark for 11.2%. Combined, these three countries represented only 36.5% of total export flows, with the rest spread across other markets.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020

Imports wood fuel to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Imports in kind, K m³

Wood fuel imports into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 2 063 K m³, marking an 8.9% decrease compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 5.9%, equating to an annualized decline of 2.0%. The highest import level was recorded in 2018 at 2 438 K m³, which represented an 11.2% increase from the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

From 2017 to 2020, the structure of wood fuel imports in kind was balanced rather than concentrated. Germany accounted for 10.1% of imports, Austria for 5.1%, and Lithuania for 1.8%. Together, these three countries represented 17.0% of total import flows, with the remaining 83.0% coming from many other countries.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

The value of wood fuel imports into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) has also declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports were valued at 282 M $ US, indicating a strong decrease of 13.9% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, import value increased by 11.6%, with an annualized growth rate of 3.7%. The peak value was reached in 2018 at 352 M $ US, which was a significant 39.3% increase from the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During 2017 to 2020, wood fuel imports in value terms to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) were allocated across a large number of markets. Germany accounted for 10.3% of imports, Nigeria for 3.8%, and Indonesia for 3.4%. Combined, these three countries represented only 17.5% of total import flows, with the rest distributed among various other countries.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020