Wood in the rough market in Czechia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2019, the market volume for wood in the rough in Czechia grew from 10 634 thousand tonnes to 11 276 thousand tonnes. This period was marked by a bark beetle calamity and drought, which drove record logging volumes and pushed production above 21 000 thousand tonnes. The surge, however, consisted largely of low-quality wood from salvage harvesting, saturating the domestic market and exerting downward pressure on prices.

Market volume dropped sharply to 8 500 thousand tonnes in 2020 as exports rose and imports fell, despite production remaining high. The energy crisis that emerged in 2021 increased demand for wood as a heating fuel, reducing export volumes and helping the domestic market volume recover to 9 348 thousand tonnes. This shift was reinforced by limited supply of fuelwood following the peak of the bark beetle infestation.

In 2022, market volume stabilized at 9 273 thousand tonnes amid continued high wood prices, limited supply from earlier calamities, and growing interest in timber construction. By 2023, production fell further to 12 020 thousand tonnes, pulling market volume down to 8 366 thousand tonnes, while imports increased and exports declined.

Production wood in the rough in Czechia

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Czechia ranked 26th globally in the production of wood in the rough.

Top producers of wood in the rough, 2018-2021

World map of production of wood in the rough, 2018-2021

Following two years of growth, Czechia's production volume of wood in the rough declined. In 2021, the country produced 19 666 K t of wood in the rough, which represents a 9.2% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production increased by 17.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.6%. The highest production level was recorded in 2020 at 21 653 K t, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 26.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Czechia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports wood in the rough from Czechia

Exports in kind, K t

After two consecutive years of growth, Czechia's exports of wood in the rough declined. In 2021, the export volume amounted to 11 199 K t, reflecting a significant decrease of 19.9% compared to the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, exports increased by 54.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.7%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2020 at 13 981 K t, and the largest annual increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 51.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Czechia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Between 2018 and 2021, Austria, Germany, and Poland were the leading destinations for Czechia's exports of wood in the rough in volume terms. Austria accounted for 41.8% of exports, Germany for 21.9%, and Poland for 12.2%. Together, these three countries represented 75.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Czechia's exports of wood in the rough in value terms increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, export value reached 1 216 M US dollars, marking a 35.9% increase compared to the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, exports grew by 95.4%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25.0%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Austria, Germany, and China consistently held the top positions in Czechia's export structure for wood in the rough in value terms. Austria accounted for 41.3% of exports, Germany for 20.9%, and China for 11.7%. Collectively, these three countries made up 73.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports wood in the rough to Czechia

Imports in kind, K t

Following two years of decline, Czechia's imports of wood in the rough in volume terms increased. In 2021, imports reached 882 K t, which is 6.6% higher than in 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports decreased by 24.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -9.0%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2020 at 827 K t, and the largest annual decline occurred in 2020, with a drop of 22.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Czechia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Between 2018 and 2021, Slovakia, Poland, and Germany formed the core of Czechia's imports of wood in the rough in volume terms. Slovakia accounted for 44.9% of imports, Poland for 29.6%, and Germany for 21.4%. Together, these three countries represented 95.9% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, Czechia's imports of wood in the rough in value terms increased. In 2021, imports totaled 125 M US dollars, marking a sharp gain of 35.4% compared to the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, imports decreased by 14.7%, equating to an annualized rate of -5.2%. The lowest import value was recorded in 2020 at 92 M US dollars, and the largest annual decline occurred in 2020, with a drop of 22.3%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Slovakia, Poland, and Germany accounted for the largest share of Czechia's imports of wood in the rough in value terms. Slovakia represented 42.3% of imports, Poland 25.8%, and Germany 16.4%. Together, these three countries comprised 84.5% of total import flows.

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

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