Wood in the rough market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the market volume for wood in the rough in Eastern Europe fluctuated, influenced by shifting export patterns. A nearly 19% drop in Russian exports of unprocessed timber in 2019, driven by external market pressures and anticipatory trade measures, increased domestic availability and raised the market size to 80.5 million tons. The following year, however, preparatory actions ahead of the upcoming export ban led to a surge in outbound shipments, which reduced the domestic market volume to 76.8 million tons.

The market expanded significantly to a peak of 87.0 million tons by 2022, primarily due to Russia's full ban on exports of unprocessed coniferous and valuable hardwood timber, which took effect in January 2022. This policy sharply reduced export volumes and was designed to stimulate deep processing and boost internal consumption within the region. The subsequent contraction to 80.1 million tons in 2023 reflected an adjustment in production levels as the industry adapted to the new trade landscape and continued domestic processing initiatives.

Parallel reforms in Ukraine formalized the market through the mandatory sale of unprocessed timber on licensed electronic exchanges, enhancing transparency and supporting regulated domestic trade. These structural changes, alongside sustained regional policies promoting value-added wood processing, have continued to reshape supply dynamics and reinforce the focus on internal market development.

Production wood in the rough in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

In kind, 2017-2020, M t

Top producers of wood in the rough, 2017-2020

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

Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) saw its wood in the rough production decline for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 100.7 million tons, which represents a 2.3% decrease compared to 2019. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually increased by 7.1%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 2.3%. The peak production was recorded in 2018 at 104.0 million tons, with the largest year-on-year increase of 10.6% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, M t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

For the second consecutive year, the value of wood in the rough production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined. In 2020, the output was valued at 8 055 million US dollars, marking a 9.4% drop from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 11.7%, which corresponds to an average annual decline of 4.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 9 933 million US dollars. The most significant decrease occurred in 2019 with a 10.5% fall, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 8.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports wood in the rough from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, wood in the rough exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) reached 27 375 thousand tons, showing a moderate increase of 9.1% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 7%, averaging an annual growth rate of 2.3%. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 25 101 thousand tons, while the peak was in 2018 at 28 648 thousand tons. The most substantial decline happened in 2019 with a 12.4% drop, and the largest increase was in 2018 with a 12.0% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, China, Finland, and Austria were the key export partners for wood in the rough in volume terms. China accounted for 32.7% of exports, while Finland and Austria each represented 17.1%. Together, these three countries made up 66.9% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of wood in the rough exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) stood at 2 189 million US dollars, indicating a slight gain of 1.2% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 11.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 2 163 million US dollars, and the highest was in 2018 at 2 736 million US dollars. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 with a 20.9% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018 with a 10.3% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, China, Austria, and Germany emerged as the main markets for wood in the rough exports in value terms. China led with 44.0% of exports, followed by Austria at 15.6% and Germany at 11.2%. Collectively, these three countries represented 70.7% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020

Imports wood in the rough to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, wood in the rough imports into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) increased in 2020. The region imported 2 462 thousand tons, marking a significant uptick of 38.2% compared to 2019. However, over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 12.7%, averaging an annual decline of 4.4%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 2 462 thousand tons, with the largest decline of 30.5% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, imports of wood in the rough into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) were not heavily concentrated. Germany accounted for 8.5% of imports, followed by Europe, not elsewhere specified at 3.2%, and Austria at 3.0%. Together, these three sources captured only 14.7% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) imported wood in the rough valued at 461 million US dollars, representing a substantial improvement of 38.9% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 11%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 332 million US dollars, and the largest decline of 26.6% also occurred in that year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Over the 2017-2020 period, the geographical structure of wood in the rough imports in value terms was highly diversified. Germany accounted for 8.4% of imports, Austria for 4.0%, and Europe, not elsewhere specified for 4.0%. Together, these three partners represented only 16.3% of total flows, with the remaining 83.7% distributed among numerous smaller countries.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020