Wood in the rough market in Denmark

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the market volume for wood in the rough in Denmark fluctuated between 2.38 and 2.71 million tonnes, with domestic production holding steady at 2.5 million tonnes annually. The market's initial strength in 2018 coincided with a renewed interest in timber construction for housing and commercial buildings, while regional supply was affected by a drought in southern Swedish forests. This period also saw historically high timber prices and record harvest levels in Danish forests due to a large forest area.

Market volume grew notably by 7.4% in 2021, reaching 2.71 million tonnes. This expansion was primarily driven by a 16% surge in domestic timber harvesting, stimulated by favorable prices and increased demand from two key sectors: renewable energy production, which uses wood in combined heat and power plants, and sustainable building projects aiming for CO2 reduction. The following year, the market contracted by 3.8% as increased exports were encouraged by rising prices for sawn wood products in neighboring Sweden and Germany. This shift occurred alongside the adoption of a national forest plan in the 2022 Finance Act, which initiated an analysis of timber flows within the Danish economy.

In 2023, the market saw a further slight decline to 2.53 million tonnes, even as domestic timber harvesting reached a new record high of 5.1 million cubic meters. The period was marked by an increased focus on sustainability and traceability, though challenges remained in tracking the origin of a significant share of felled wood. Government policy continued to support long-term supply through ambitious afforestation targets.

Production wood in the rough in Denmark

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of wood in the rough, 2018-2021

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

In 2021, Denmark produced 2,497 K t of wood in the rough, showing only a marginal fluctuation compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 0.0%, while the largest increase was also recorded in 2019, at 0.0%.

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

Exports wood in the rough from Denmark

Exports in kind, K t

Denmark's exports of wood in the rough declined for the second consecutive year in 2021, reaching 421.2 K t, which represents a moderate 4.5% decrease from 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, exports fell by 10.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.6%. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 569.8 K t, with the largest increase of 21.1% also occurring in 2019. The largest decline of 22.6% was observed in 2020.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the leading destinations for Denmark's wood in the rough exports in kind were China, accounting for 39.5% of exports, Germany with 31.3%, and Sweden at 12.1%. Together, these three countries represented 82.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. The lowest export value was recorded in 2020 at 41.8 M $ US, while the highest was in 2021 at 75.5 M $ US, reflecting a 1.8-fold gap. In 2021, cross-border shipments of wood in the rough from Denmark amounted to 75.5 M $ US, marking an 80.7% increase compared to 2020. The largest decline of 35.7% occurred in 2020.

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

From 2018 to 2021, China remained the principal buyer of wood in the rough from Denmark in value terms, accounting for 56.0% of exports, followed by Germany at 21.6%, and Sweden at 10.1%. Collectively, these three countries represented 87.7% of total export value.

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

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

Imports wood in the rough to Denmark

Imports in kind, K t

Denmark's imports of wood in the rough increased for the second consecutive year in 2021, reaching 633.8 K t, which represents a dramatic 35.9% advance compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, imports grew by 23.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 7.4%. The minimum volume was recorded in 2019 at 451.7 K t, with the largest decline of 11.8% also occurring in 2019.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Germany was the top source for Denmark's wood in the rough imports in kind, accounting for 26.4% of imports, followed by Sweden at 25.1%, and Norway at 11.8%. Together, these three countries accounted for 63.2% of total import volumes.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Denmark's imports of wood in the rough increased for the second consecutive year in 2021, totaling 100.4 M $ US, which is 38.8% more year-over-year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports rose by 32.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.8%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 66.9 M $ US, with the largest decline of 11.9% also occurring in 2019.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Sweden led as the top supplier of wood in the rough to Denmark in value terms, accounting for 40.7% of imports, followed by Germany at 24.0%, and Norway at 7.0%. Their combined share reached 71.7% of total import value.

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

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