Wood fuel market in the Netherlands

Earlier Report Observations

Wood fuel market volume in the Netherlands grew significantly from 3 338 K m³ in 2018 to 6 705 K m³ in 2021, driven primarily by a surge in imports from 1 720 K m³ to 5 244 K m³. Domestic production remained relatively flat over this period, fluctuating between 2 304 K m³ and 2 378 K m³. This stability in production coincided with a market shift where industrial roundwood output surpassed wood fuel production in 2018, reflecting changing product applications and dynamic priorities within the forest sector.

After peaking in 2021, the market contracted to 5 193 K m³ in 2022 and further to 5 025 K m³ in 2023. Imports fell to 4 447 K m³ in 2022 and 4 098 K m³ in 2023, while production edged down to 2 230 K m³ in 2023. During this phase, efficiency improvements in roundwood processing helped maintain production levels close to earlier volumes, as highlighted in 2022, but were insufficient to offset the overall decline in market size driven by lower import flows.

Production wood fuel in the Netherlands

In kind, 2018-2021, K m³

Top producers of wood fuel, 2018-2021

World map of production of wood fuel, 2018-2021

After a two-year decline, wood fuel production in the Netherlands increased in 2021. The country produced 2 362 K m³ of wood fuel that year, marking a slight year-over-year advance of 2.6%. Production had reached its lowest point in 2020 at 2 304 K m³, following the largest decline of 2.2% in 2019.

Annual dynamics of production in the Netherlands in kind, 2018-2021, K m³

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Following a two-year drop, the value of wood fuel production in the Netherlands rose in 2021. Output was valued at 595.1 M $ US, showing a gradual gain of 8.7% compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production decreased by 3.2%, which equates to an annualized rate of 1.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 547.5 M $ US, after the largest decline of 10.3% in 2019.

Annual dynamics of production in the Netherlands in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports wood fuel from the Netherlands

Exports in kind, K m³

In 2021, the Netherlands exported 901 K m³ of wood fuel, representing a 15.7% increase from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports grew by 18.5%, with an annualized rate of 5.8%. The largest decline occurred in 2020, when exports fell by 6.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the Netherlands in kind, 2018-2021, K m³

From 2018 to 2021, Belgium, Germany, and the United Kingdom were the primary markets for the Netherlands' wood fuel exports in kind. Belgium accounted for 45.3% of exports, Germany for 20.9%, and the United Kingdom for 11.0%. Together, these three countries made up 77.3% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from the Netherlands in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2021, wood fuel exports from the Netherlands amounted to 226.9 M $ US, a 22.6% increase from the year before. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports rose by 15.4%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 185.0 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 6.4% that year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the Netherlands in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, Belgium, Germany, and France were the main destinations for the Netherlands' wood fuel exports in value terms. Belgium represented 39.9% of exports, Germany 20.7%, and France 9.7%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 70.3% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from the Netherlands in value, 2018-2021

Imports wood fuel to the Netherlands

Imports in kind, K m³

Foreign wood fuel supplies to the Netherlands increased for the third consecutive year in 2021. Imports totaled 5 244 K m³, reflecting a 9.8% year-over-year uptick. From 2018 to 2021, imports surged by 204.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 45.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the Netherlands in kind, 2018-2021, K m³

From 2018 to 2021, Latvia, the United States, and Germany were the leading suppliers of wood fuel to the Netherlands in kind. Latvia contributed 19.2% of imports, the United States 18.2%, and Germany 15.7%. Together, these three countries comprised 53.1% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to the Netherlands in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

Foreign wood fuel supplies to the Netherlands increased for the third year in a row in 2021. Imports stood at 686.5 M $ US, showing a strong rise of 13.8% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports grew by 226%, equating to an annualized rate of 48.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the Netherlands in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In the 2018-2021 period, the United States, Latvia, and Germany were the key markets for the Netherlands' wood fuel imports in value terms. The United States accounted for 17.8% of imports, Latvia for 17.7%, and Germany for 15.2%. Combined, these three countries made up 50.7% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to the Netherlands in value, 2018-2021