Wood fuel market in North Macedonia

Earlier Report Observations

The wood fuel market in North Macedonia saw a steady contraction in volume from 2018 to 2023. Total market size dropped from 820.7 thousand m³ to 655.5 thousand m³, a decrease of over 20%. Domestic production followed a similar downward path, falling from 681 thousand m³ to 544 thousand m³ over the same period.

Imports of wood fuel initially rose, peaking at 182.7 thousand m³ in 2020, but then fell sharply to 112.6 thousand m³ by 2023. This import decline accelerated the overall market contraction after 2020. Meanwhile, exports remained minimal throughout, having negligible impact on market volume.

By 2023, the market had shrunk to its lowest point in the observed period, with production and imports both contributing to the reduced availability of wood fuel in North Macedonia.

Production wood fuel in North Macedonia

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Top producers of wood fuel, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood fuel, 2017-2020

North Macedonia's wood fuel production has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 610.0 K m³ of wood fuel, marking a moderate 6.0% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 11.2%, with an average annual decline of 3.9%.

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

Exports wood fuel from North Macedonia

Exports in kind, K m³

North Macedonia's wood fuel exports have decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 0.6 K m³, showing a sharp 61.5% drop compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports declined by 54.7%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 23.2%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 1.5 K m³, with the largest year-on-year increase of 24.5% also occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for North Macedonia's wood fuel exports in volume terms were Greece, Serbia, and Bulgaria. Greece accounted for 36.3% of exports, Serbia for 30.2%, and Bulgaria for 11.3%. Together, these three countries made up 77.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Exports in value terms peaked in 2018 and fell to their lowest point in 2020, with a 2.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, North Macedonia's wood fuel export value totaled 77 K $ US, which is 43.0% lower than in 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 195 K $ US, with the largest year-on-year increase of 71.0% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from North Macedonia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017-2020, Greece, Serbia, and Bulgaria remained the key destinations for North Macedonia's wood fuel exports in value terms. Greece accounted for 44.4% of exports, Serbia for 26.0%, and Bulgaria for 13.9%. Collectively, these three countries represented 84.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports wood fuel to North Macedonia

Imports in kind, K m³

North Macedonia's wood fuel imports have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported approximately 182.7 K m³ of wood fuel, which is 17.2% higher than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 27.3%, equating to an average annual increase of 8.4%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 141.2 K m³, with the largest year-on-year decline of 1.6% also occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Montenegro were the largest suppliers of wood fuel to North Macedonia in volume terms. Serbia accounted for 60.7% of imports, Bulgaria for 15.6%, and Montenegro for 7.0%. Together, these three countries formed 83.3% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

North Macedonia's wood fuel imports in value terms have risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 19 892 K $ US, representing a robust 20.4% increase from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 39.1%, which translates to an average annual increase of 11.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to North Macedonia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Montenegro led the structure of North Macedonia's wood fuel imports in value terms. Serbia accounted for 61.2% of imports, Bulgaria for 11.8%, and Montenegro for 7.2%. Together, these three countries represented 80.2% of total import flows.

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

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