Wood fuel market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

The wood fuel market in Romania experienced fluctuations between 2018 and 2020. Initial demand in 2018 was underpinned by consumer preference for wood and pellet heating systems, especially in areas lacking access to natural gas. This contributed to a market volume of 6.2 million m³. However, the following year saw a 6.4% contraction to 5.8 million m³, driven by a 37% drop in imports and rising exports. A production surge of 780 thousand m³ in 2020 helped lift market volume back to 6.2 million m³.

Market expansion resumed from 2021 to 2023, with volume climbing to 6.9 million m³. The growth in 2021 coincided with a rebound in imports. In 2023, a key development was RNP-Romsilva's move to supply 50% of its wood volume as processed firewood, significantly boosting available supply and intensifying market competition. Regulatory changes affecting wood transport and valorization also influenced operations. For 2024, trade data indicates rising imports and falling exports, while new reference price lists and updated transport legislation came into effect.

Production wood fuel in Romania

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Top producers of wood fuel, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood fuel, 2017-2020

Romania's wood fuel production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 6 420 K m³ of wood fuel, marking a 13.8% gain compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 30.6%, which translates to an annualized rate of 9.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Romania's wood fuel output was valued at 728.9 M $ US, reflecting a significant 11.7% increase over the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production rose by 40.6%, with an annualized growth rate of 12.0%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 1.8%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 28.1%.

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

Exports wood fuel from Romania

Exports in kind, K m³

Romania's wood fuel exports have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 708.6 K m³, showing a 45.6% rise year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 64.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 18.0%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 365.6 K m³, which also saw the largest decline of 15.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Austria, Italy, and Hungary were the largest buyers of wood fuel from Romania, accounting for 32.2%, 15.7%, and 11.6% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, they formed 59.5% of Romania's total wood fuel exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Wood fuel shipments from Romania have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export volume totaled 80 458 K $ US, indicating a 42.8% uptick compared to the previous year. Over the period 2017-2020, exports increased by 76.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.9%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 43 749 K $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 3.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Austria, Italy, and Bulgaria were the main destinations for Romania's wood fuel exports in value terms, absorbing 33.0%, 14.2%, and 11.9% of exports, respectively. Together, they accounted for 59.0% of total export value.

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

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

Imports wood fuel to Romania

Imports in kind, K m³

Wood fuel imports into Romania have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 490.1 K m³, which is 21.1% less than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 21.7%, equating to an annualized decline of 7.8%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 984.1 K m³, which saw the largest increase of 57.2%, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 36.9%.

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

Over the period 2017-2020, Ukraine, Belarus, and Poland were the primary suppliers of wood fuel to Romania, contributing 60.8%, 11.2%, and 7.6% of imports in kind, respectively. Jointly, they accounted for 79.5% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Romania's wood fuel imports have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports came to 35 945 K $ US, down by 20.7% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 3.8%, with an annualized rate of 1.3%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 48 181 K $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 39.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ukraine, Belarus, and Poland were the main sources of wood fuel imports to Romania in value terms, absorbing 60.3%, 9.6%, and 7.6% of imports, respectively. Together, they accounted for 77.5% of total import value.

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

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