Wood fuel market in France

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the wood fuel market in France remained relatively stable, with volumes hovering around 25,500 thousand m³. Government policies phasing out oil boilers and financial incentives like MaPrimeRénov' encouraged a shift toward wood heating, while the market's link to fossil fuel prices provided underlying support. A warmer climate in 2019 contributed to a slight dip in overall energy consumption.

A significant surge occurred in 2021, with market volume jumping to 28,802 thousand m³. This growth was primarily fueled by continued state support for the wood energy sector and a sharp increase in demand as high prices for natural gas and oil accelerated the energy transition, making wood fuel a more cost-effective alternative for many consumers.

The market contracted in the following years, falling to 25,337 thousand m³ in 2022 and 24,726 thousand m³ in 2023. Despite a strong rise in demand for wood fuel triggered by the spike in electricity and gas prices after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the sector was constrained by soaring production costs for raw wood, energy, and labor. Increased exports of wood products and persistent inflation further limited domestic availability, even as new pellet production facilities began operation, expanding capacity in that specific segment.

Production wood fuel in France

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

France ranked 17th globally in wood fuel production between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of wood fuel, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood fuel, 2017-2020

In 2020, France produced 23 332 K m³ of wood fuel, marking a gradual decline of 3.7% compared to 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, production decreased by 6.3%, with an annualized rate of 2.1%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 0.3%.

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

Exports wood fuel from France

Exports in kind, K m³

The data shows irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2018, with a 2.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, France exported 1 617 K m³ of wood fuel, representing a significant year-over-year decrease of 14.0%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 3 547 K m³. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 47.0%, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 73.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium (41.4% of exports in kind), Italy (17.0% of exports in kind), and Germany (15.2% of exports in kind) were the top buyers of wood fuel from France, with their combined share reaching 73.6% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

France's wood fuel exports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 106.7 M $ US, showing a robust fall of 13.4% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 18.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.6%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 148.3 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 17.0%, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 13.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy (28.1% of exports in value terms), Belgium (25.2% of exports in value terms), and Switzerland (11.5% of exports in value terms) formed the main group of destinations for France's wood fuel exports in value terms, with a combined share of 64.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports wood fuel to France

Imports in kind, K m³

The market exhibited volatility over the observed period. Imports hit their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 2.2-fold swing between these years. In 2020, France imported 3 592 K m³ of wood fuel, indicating a year-over-year advance of 17.3%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 4 951 K m³. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 38.2%, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 115.7%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Belgium (25.9% of imports in kind), Germany (18.0% of imports in kind), and Spain (15.9% of imports in kind) were the main sources for wood fuel imports to France, jointly accounting for 59.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

France's imported wood fuel volumes increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 321.7 M $ US, marking a limited rise of 5.2% relative to the prior year. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports increased by 53%, with an annualized growth rate of 15.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium (26.2% of imports in value terms), Germany (16.5% of imports in value terms), and Spain (13.5% of imports in value terms) consistently held leading positions in the country structure of imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 56.2% of total flows.

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

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