Wood fuel market in Southern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The wood fuel market in Southern Europe contracted from 33 429 thousand cubic meters in 2018 to 30 607 thousand cubic meters in 2020, a decrease of over 8%. This was followed by a strong recovery in 2021, with market volume jumping by 9.5% to 33 503 thousand cubic meters. Growth continued in 2022 and 2023, though at a moderating pace, reaching 34 526 thousand cubic meters by the end of the period.

Domestic production of wood fuel mirrored this trend, declining from 29 584 thousand cubic meters in 2018 to 28 410 in 2020 before rising to 31 525 thousand cubic meters in 2023. Imports and exports also saw significant fluctuations, with imports peaking in 2019 and exports dropping notably in 2021, influencing the overall market size.

Production wood fuel in Southern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Top producers of wood fuel, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood fuel, 2017-2020

In Southern Europe, wood fuel production reached 28 410 thousand cubic meters in 2020, marking a 2.9% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production declined by 2.7%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 0.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 27 610 thousand cubic meters, while the peak occurred in 2018 with 29 584 thousand cubic meters. The most significant drop in production was observed in 2019, when it fell by 6.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of wood fuel production in Southern Europe stood at 4 172 million US dollars in 2020, reflecting a 1.6% rise compared to the year before. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 12.6%, averaging an annual increase of 4.0%. The highest value was achieved in 2018 at 4 577 million US dollars. The sharpest decline occurred in 2019 with a 10.3% drop, whereas the largest gain was in 2018, surging by 23.5%.

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

Exports wood fuel from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, K m³

In 2020, Southern Europe exported 4 274 thousand cubic meters of wood fuel, showing a slight decrease of 2.9% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 8.2%, corresponding to an average annual decline of 2.8%. The most substantial reduction was in 2018, when exports dropped by 8.0%, while the biggest increase was in 2019, rising by 2.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the export market for wood fuel from Southern Europe was highly fragmented, with no single country dominating. Austria accounted for 10.5% of exports in volume, France for 6.0%, and Denmark for 5.2%, collectively making up just 21.7% of total exports. The majority of exports were distributed among numerous smaller partners, each holding modest individual shares.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Foreign wood fuel supplies from Southern Europe declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports were valued at 628 million US dollars, down 4.1% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 6.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.0%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 663 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 12.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, wood fuel exports from Southern Europe were directed to a wide range of markets. Austria represented 7.7% of export value, France 6.7%, and the United Kingdom 6.3%, together accounting for only 20.8% of total exports. The remaining 79.2% was spread across many smaller destinations, highlighting the diversified nature of the export structure.

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

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

Imports wood fuel to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, K m³

Following two years of growth, wood fuel imports into Southern Europe declined. In 2020, imports totaled 6 471 thousand cubic meters, a sharp decrease of 31.8% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 6%, averaging an annual increase of 2.0%. The highest import volume was in 2019 at 9 488 thousand cubic meters, with the largest surge occurring in 2018, up 33.1%.

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

The import market for wood fuel in Southern Europe from 2017 to 2020 was broad and varied. Austria contributed 14.8% of imports by volume, Uruguay 10.8%, and Brazil 4.6%, together making up just 30.2% of total imports. The other 69.8% was shared among numerous other countries, indicating a lack of concentration in the import structure.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year upward trend, wood fuel imports into Southern Europe from abroad fell. In 2020, imports amounted to 937 million US dollars, a robust drop of 20.8% compared to the prior year. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 5.5%, equating to an average annual rise of 1.8%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 1 184 million US dollars, while the largest increase was in 2018, up 20.1%.

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

The import structure in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was diversified, with no single country holding a clearly dominant position. Austria accounted for 15.7% of import value, Uruguay for 8.6%, and Germany for 5.5%, collectively representing just 29.8% of total flows. The rest was distributed across many other countries, underscoring the spread-out nature of imports.

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

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