Wood fuel market in Switzerland

Earlier Report Observations

The Swiss wood fuel market volume demonstrated substantial growth from 2018 to 2022, climbing from 1 988 thousand m³ to 2 608 thousand m³, before a minor reduction to 2 573 thousand m³ in 2023. This upward trajectory was underpinned by consistent annual increases in domestic production and a notable rise in imports, particularly after 2020, coupled with a sustained decline in export volumes.

Production expanded steadily throughout the period, reaching 1 958 thousand m³ in 2023 from a base of 1 736 thousand m³ in 2018. Import volumes, after a temporary decrease in 2019, grew strongly from 2021, peaking at 931 thousand m³ in 2022. Exports contracted significantly over the same span, falling from 384 thousand m³ to 253 thousand m³, which augmented the net supply available on the domestic market.

The most rapid market expansion occurred between 2020 and 2022, with volume increasing by more than 600 thousand m³. The slight dip in 2023 indicates a phase of market consolidation following the period of intense growth.

Production wood fuel in Switzerland

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Top producers of wood fuel, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood fuel, 2017-2020

Switzerland's wood fuel production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 1 770 K m³ of wood fuel, a slight increase of 1.5% compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 7.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.5%.

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

Exports wood fuel from Switzerland

Exports in kind, K m³

Switzerland's wood fuel exports totaled 400.1 K m³ in 2020, a decrease of 15.9% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 35.3%, which translates to an average annual decline of 13.5%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 383.9 K m³. The sharpest drop occurred in 2018 with a 37.9% decrease, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 23.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, France, and Germany were the top destinations for Switzerland's wood fuel exports by volume. Italy accounted for 49.6% of exports, France for 22.0%, and Germany for 14.9%. Together, these three countries made up 86.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Switzerland's wood fuel exports in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 5 530 K $ US, a significant drop of 10.9% year-over-year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 6 732 K $ US, with the largest increase that year at 24.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, Italy, and France were the main markets for Switzerland's wood fuel exports by value. Germany led with 40.9% of exports, followed by Italy at 27.2%, and France at 21.3%. Combined, these three countries represented 89.4% of total export value.

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

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

Imports wood fuel to Switzerland

Imports in kind, K m³

After two years of decline, Switzerland's wood fuel imports increased in 2020. Imports reached 629.4 K m³, a moderate rise of 7.0% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 7.1%, averaging an annual decline of 2.4%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 588.4 K m³, with the largest drop that year at 7.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany and France were the primary sources for Switzerland's wood fuel imports by volume, together accounting for 87.2% of total flows. Other partners made up the remaining share.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Switzerland imported 69 711 K $ US worth of wood fuel in 2020, a modest increase of 9.2% from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 63 861 K $ US, while the highest was in 2018 at 70 990 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 10.0% drop.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Germany, France, and Austria were the leading suppliers of wood fuel to Switzerland by value. Germany accounted for 53.5% of imports, France for 18.9%, and Austria for 8.0%. Together, these three countries made up 80.4% of total import value.

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

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