Wood fuel market in Slovakia

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the state-owned forestry company LESY SR approved a trade strategy for 2018-2022 that limited exports of wood fuel and prioritized supply to domestic processors, supporting local market volume. Preparations also began for the EU eco-design regulation for solid fuel heaters, scheduled for 2022. These factors coincided with a stable market volume of 302.3 thousand m³ in 2018 and 303.9 thousand m³ in 2019. The market volume then dropped to 218.7 thousand m³ in 2020.

A sharp rise in natural gas and coal prices, driven by energy security concerns, led to a surge in demand for wood fuel in 2021, increasing the market volume to 293.6 thousand m³. In 2022, despite continued strong demand evidenced by a 37% sales increase reported by LESY SR, the market volume slightly declined to 282.6 thousand m³ amid regional supply shortages. This period also saw the full implementation of strict EU eco-design requirements for heaters.

The market volume fell further to 260.6 thousand m³ in 2023, influenced by higher operating costs due to mandatory chimney inspections and cleanings, as well as ongoing discussions on stricter EU emission rules for local heating. LESY SR modernized its vehicle fleet to improve harvesting efficiency during this time. Factors noted for 2024 include the impact of global energy shocks and new EU traceability requirements for wood origin.

Production wood fuel in Slovakia

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Top producers of wood fuel, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood fuel, 2017-2020

In 2019, Slovakia's wood fuel production reached its peak at 599.6 thousand cubic meters, marking a significant 14.5% increase. However, production declined to 523.7 thousand cubic meters in 2020, representing a 12.7% drop compared to the previous year. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 523.6 thousand cubic meters. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 11.4%, which translates to an average annual decline of 4.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2019, the value of wood fuel production in Slovakia peaked at 44 725 thousand US dollars, showing a substantial 34.2% increase. The following year, in 2020, production value declined to 41 191 thousand US dollars, a 7.9% decrease from 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 33 321 thousand US dollars. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 14.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Slovakia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports wood fuel from Slovakia

Exports in kind, K m³

Slovakia's wood fuel exports have declined for three consecutive years. In 2020, export volume stood at 729.3 thousand cubic meters, representing a 12.7% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 23.5%, with an average annual decline of 8.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Austria, Italy, and Czechia were Slovakia's primary wood fuel export partners in terms of volume. Austria accounted for 61.2% of exports, Italy for 16.6%, and Czechia for 10.1%. Together, these three countries represented 87.9% of Slovakia's total wood fuel exports by volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, Slovakia's wood fuel exports declined in 2020. The country exported 57 362 thousand US dollars worth of wood fuel that year, marking an 8.0% decrease from 2019. The highest export value was recorded in 2019 at 62 331 thousand US dollars, which represented a 7.6% increase from the previous year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Austria, Italy, and Czechia remained Slovakia's key wood fuel export markets in value terms. Austria accounted for 36.1% of export value, Italy for 35.9%, and Czechia for 12.2%. Collectively, these three countries represented 84.1% of Slovakia's total wood fuel export value.

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

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

Imports wood fuel to Slovakia

Imports in kind, K m³

Slovakia's wood fuel imports declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 424.3 thousand cubic meters. This represented a significant 21.4% decrease from 2019. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 689.2 thousand cubic meters, which marked a 47.6% increase from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 21.7% decrease. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 9.2%, averaging a 3.2% annual decline.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland, Ukraine, and Czechia were Slovakia's main suppliers of wood fuel by volume. Poland accounted for 41.1% of imports, Ukraine for 19.4%, and Czechia for 17.2%. Together, these three countries supplied 77.8% of Slovakia's total wood fuel imports by volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Slovakia's wood fuel imports declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 25 229 thousand US dollars. This represented a 24.1% decrease from the previous year. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 36 729 thousand US dollars, which marked a substantial 65.0% increase from 2017. Despite the recent declines, imports grew by 13.3% over the 2017-2020 period, with an average annual growth rate of 4.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Poland, Ukraine, and Czechia were Slovakia's primary sources of wood fuel imports in value terms. Poland accounted for 27.3% of import value, Ukraine for 26.1%, and Czechia for 22.0%. Collectively, these three countries represented 75.5% of Slovakia's total wood fuel import value.

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

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