Wood in the rough market in Belarus

Earlier Report Observations

The Belarusian wood in the rough market reached its peak volume of 18.6 million tonnes in 2018, coinciding with the country's record-high timber harvest that year. Market volume then declined over the next two years, dipping to 17.1 million tonnes by 2020. A recovery followed in 2021, with the market expanding to 17.9 million tonnes, supported by a sharp increase in imports of unprocessed wood from Russia, where export volumes to Belarus grew.

The market contracted again to 16.9 million tonnes in 2022, pressured by European Union sanctions against Belarus, which affected exports and domestic production. The decline accelerated in 2023, with market volume falling to 14.4 million tonnes as timber harvesting in Belarus dropped to a five-year low, a direct consequence of the EU sanctions and shifts in export flows.

In 2024, the updated rules for timber sales in Belarus, which simplify procedures and expand purchasing options, remained in effect, while supplies of unprocessed wood from Russia to Belarus showed signs of recovery.

Production wood in the rough in Belarus

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of wood in the rough, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood in the rough, 2017-2020

In 2020, Belarus produced 17 582 K t of wood in the rough, showing no significant change from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 13.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.4%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 18 584 K t, which represented a 20.1% increase from the previous year. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest decline of 5.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Belarus in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports wood in the rough from Belarus

Exports in kind, K t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports peaked in 2017 and reached their lowest point in 2018 at just 4 K t, marking a dramatic 396-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Belarus's wood in the rough export volume totaled 488 K t, up by 114.7% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 99.7% drop, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 5 183.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Belarus in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Poland, Romania, and Lithuania were the main destinations for Belarus's wood in the rough exports in kind. Poland accounted for 51.1% of exports, Romania for 28.6%, and Lithuania for 7.7%. Together, these three countries absorbed 87.3% of total exports.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Exports in value terms peaked in 2017 and hit a trough in 2018 at 185 K $ US, showing a 412-fold gap between these extremes. In 2020, wood in the rough deliveries from Belarus reached 13 546 K $ US, up by 113.1% year-over-year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 with a 99.8% drop, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 3 331.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland, Romania, and Lithuania dominated the value-based export structure for Belarus's wood in the rough. Poland accounted for 46.0% of exports in value terms, Romania for 32.1%, and Lithuania for 7.2%. Collectively, these three countries absorbed 85.3% of total exports.

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

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

Imports wood in the rough to Belarus

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Belarus imported 24 K t of wood in the rough, representing a 13.2% reduction compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 22.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 8.3%. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 15.2%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 5.0% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Belarus in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Russia was overwhelmingly the main source for imports in kind of wood in the rough to Belarus, accounting for 99.9% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Foreign wood in the rough supplies to Belarus declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 3 293 K $ US, which is 12.3% lower year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 12.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.3%. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 3 783 K $ US, with the largest increase that year at 0.7%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the partner structure of imports in value terms was dominated by Russia, which consistently accounted for 100.0% of total flows.

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

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