Wood fuel market in Poland

Earlier Report Observations

The wood fuel market in Poland expanded significantly from 5.8 million m³ in 2018 to a peak of 7.3 million m³ in 2022. This growth was primarily driven by the launch of the national "Clean Air" program in 2018, which provided subsidies and favorable loans for households to switch to more efficient heating systems, boosting demand for biomass fuels like wood pellets. Concurrently, a steady decline in coal consumption across Poland increased the attractiveness of wood biomass as an alternative, cleaner energy source.

After a temporary contraction in market volume to 6.1 million m³ in 2021, the market surged again in 2022. The escalation of the war in Ukraine heightened overall fuel demand and positioned Poland as a key transit hub, further stimulating interest in domestic wood fuel production. Market volume reached 7.3 million m³ in 2022 before moderating to 6.9 million m³ in 2023, as imports continued to fall and domestic production stabilized at nearly 7.0 million m³. Throughout the period, the growing recognition of wood pellets as a convenient and environmentally preferable fuel supported sustained consumption.

Production wood fuel in Poland

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Top producers of wood fuel, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood fuel, 2017-2020

Poland's wood fuel production has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 4 713 thousand cubic meters of wood fuel, marking a 7.0% decrease from 2019. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 10.2%, which translates to an average annual decline of 3.5%. The peak production was recorded in 2018 at 5 359 thousand cubic meters, which also saw the largest annual increase of 2.1%.

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

Exports wood fuel from Poland

Exports in kind, K m³

In 2020, Poland's wood fuel export volume reached 1 234 thousand cubic meters, showing a modest increase of 1.5% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 43%, with a compound annual growth rate of -17.1%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 217 thousand cubic meters, while the highest was in 2018 at 2 583 thousand cubic meters. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 52.9%, whereas the largest increase was in 2018 at 19.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Italy, and Denmark were the primary buyers of wood fuel from Poland, accounting for 45.9%, 16.1%, and 11.2% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 73.2% of Poland's total wood fuel exports in volume terms.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Poland's wood fuel export value amounted to 222.4 million US dollars, reflecting an uptick of 7.4% from 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 207.2 million US dollars, while the maximum was in 2018 at 336.2 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a decrease of 38.4%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 48.7%.

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

During the period from 2017 to 2020, Germany, Italy, and Denmark formed the main cluster of markets for Poland's wood fuel exports in value terms, with shares of 43.1%, 15.8%, and 9.6%, respectively. Combined, these three countries accounted for 68.5% of the total export value.

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

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

Imports wood fuel to Poland

Imports in kind, K m³

Wood fuel imports into Poland have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 3 335 thousand cubic meters, up by 3.0% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 63.4%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 17.8%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Belarus dominated Poland's wood fuel imports in kind, holding a 72.3% share of total flows. Other markets played a less significant role in the import structure.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Poland's wood fuel import value has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country imported 129.2 million US dollars worth of wood fuel, down by 10.6% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 35.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.6%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 153.8 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 61.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ukraine, Belarus, and Germany remained the main sources for Poland's wood fuel imports in value terms, with shares of 34.3%, 33.3%, and 12.6%, respectively. Together, these three countries accounted for 80.2% of the total import value.

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

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