Wood fuel market in Northern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The wood fuel market in Northern Europe saw its volume rise to 52 585 thousand m³ in 2019, followed by a slight decline and subsequent stabilization around 51 000 thousand m³ through 2021. This period of relative steadiness was interrupted by a sharp contraction in 2022, when the market size fell by over 13% to 44 531 thousand m³. A partial recovery occurred in 2023, with the market volume increasing to 46 690 thousand m³, though it remained below the levels seen earlier in the period.

The overall market trajectory from 2018 to 2023 was marked by initial growth, a phase of adjustment, and a significant downturn before a modest rebound. The market's lowest point in 2022 represented a substantial reduction from the peak observed in 2019, indicating shifting dynamics in supply and consumption within the region.

Production wood fuel in Northern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Top producers of wood fuel, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood fuel, 2017-2020

Northern Europe's wood fuel production rebounded after a two-year decline. In 2019, production hit its lowest point at 28 367 thousand cubic meters. The following year, in 2020, output increased by 3.4% to reach 29 326 thousand cubic meters. The most significant drop occurred in 2018, when production fell by 3.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of wood fuel production in Northern Europe showed strong growth. In 2020, output was valued at 5 286 million US dollars, marking a 26.6% increase compared to the previous year. Over the four-year period from 2017 to 2020, production value rose by 32.7%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 9.9%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, when the value dropped by 9.5%.

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

Exports wood fuel from Northern Europe

Exports in kind, K m³

Northern Europe's wood fuel exports declined after two years of growth. In 2019, exports peaked at 9 157 thousand cubic meters, representing a substantial 29.5% increase from the previous year. However, in 2020, export volumes fell by 14.0% to 7 876 thousand cubic meters. Overall, between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 16.2%, averaging an annual increase of 5.1%.

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

The export structure for wood fuel in kind remained highly fragmented from 2017 to 2020. No single country dominated the market, with Norway accounting for 4.6% of exports, Germany for 4.1%, and Italy for 3.9%. Together, these three partners represented just 12.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Wood fuel exports from Northern Europe in value terms grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 1 420 million US dollars, up 5.3% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, export value increased by 53.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 15.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Belgium, and the Netherlands were key buyers of wood fuel from Northern Europe in value terms. Italy accounted for 6.9% of exports, while Belgium and the Netherlands each represented 4.8%. However, their combined share totaled only 16.5% of total export value, with the remaining 83.5% spread across numerous other trading partners.

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

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

Imports wood fuel to Northern Europe

Imports in kind, K m³

Northern Europe's wood fuel imports decreased after two years of growth. In 2019, imports reached their highest level at 33 375 thousand cubic meters, following a sharp 28.1% increase in 2018. In 2020, import volumes declined by 10.0% to 30 053 thousand cubic meters. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 34.8%, averaging an annual growth rate of 10.5%.

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

The import structure for wood fuel in kind was relatively balanced from 2017 to 2020. The United States was the largest supplier, accounting for 20.2% of imports, followed by Russia at 16.5% and Belarus at 8.5%. Together, these three countries represented 45.2% of total import flows, with the remaining 54.8% coming from a diverse range of other nations.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Wood fuel imports to Northern Europe in value terms declined after two years of growth. In 2019, imports peaked at 3 247 million US dollars, following a significant 31.9% increase in 2018. In 2020, import value fell by 3.6% to 3 129 million US dollars. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, import value increased by 36.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 10.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three main markets dominated wood fuel imports to Northern Europe in value terms. The United States, Russia, and Canada together accounted for 56.5% of total import value.

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

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