Wood in the rough market in Europe

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, the European rough wood market saw its volume gradually decline, influenced by a significant increase in raw log exports from Poland to China, which reduced domestic availability. State-owned forest enterprises in Poland called for export restrictions to support local processing, highlighting concerns over lost tax revenue and added value. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further disrupted supply chains, but also boosted demand for construction and renovation, leading to sharp price increases even as overall market volume contracted temporarily.

By 2021, wood prices in Europe reached historic peaks due to sustained high demand and persistent supply issues, helping the market volume recover to 380.9 million tonnes. Continued global supply chain problems in 2022 kept pressure on availability. However, a broad-based decline in wood consumption emerged in 2023, driven by rising interest rates, high inflation, and a profitability crisis in the Polish timber industry, which pulled the market volume down to 358.5 million tonnes.

In 2024, new regulatory measures began affecting supply: Germany reported a 13.3% drop in felled wood volume, while Poland implemented a forest moratorium to protect ecosystems, limiting harvesting in protected areas. Simultaneously, prices for species like Douglas fir and maritime pine rose in France, reflecting growing demand for sustainable materials, though a decrease in EU construction permits and ongoing labor shortages in the sector continued to temper consumption growth.

Production wood in the rough in Europe

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

Europe's production of wood in the rough declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output reached 375.9 million tonnes, marking a slight decrease of 2.1% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 3%, which translates to an average annual increase of 1.0%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 386.2 million tonnes, with the largest year-on-year increase of 5.8% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Europe in kind, 2017-2020, M t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of wood in the rough production in Europe fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, production was valued at 45 103 million US dollars, showing a gradual decline of 4.1% from 2019. The peak value was achieved in 2018 at 48 575 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 9.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Europe in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports wood in the rough from Europe

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, wood in the rough exports from Europe totaled 44 612 thousand tonnes, representing a 2.1% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports rose by 6.7%, averaging an annual growth rate of 2.2%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 47 330 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 7.7%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 13.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the three largest markets for exports in kind were China, Vietnam, and Norway, which together accounted for 25.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, wood in the rough exports from Europe amounted to 5 353 million US dollars, showing only a marginal change compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 5.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.9%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 5 953 million US dollars. The largest decline was in 2019 at 10.2%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 17.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, Vietnam, and Norway were the leading destinations for exports in value terms. China accounted for 31.6% of exports, Vietnam for 1.4%, and Norway for 0.6%, with these three markets together representing 33.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports wood in the rough to Europe

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, foreign wood in the rough supplies to Europe reached 32 387 thousand tonnes, showing only a slight fluctuation compared to the previous year. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 32 237 thousand tonnes, while the highest was in 2018 at 38 851 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 17.0%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 17.7%.

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

During 2017-2020, Norway and Switzerland were the two main destinations for imports in kind. Norway accounted for 7.2% of total flows and Switzerland for 1.1%, together making up 8.3% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Wood in the rough imports into Europe declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were recorded at 3 865 million US dollars, down by 3.2% from 2019. The peak value was in 2018 at 4 745 million US dollars. The largest decline was in 2019 at 15.9%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 22.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Norway, Switzerland, and the United States led the structure of imports in value terms. Norway accounted for 5.9% of imports, Switzerland for 1.3%, and the United States for 1.1%, with these three countries together representing 8.3% of total import flows.

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

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