Wood in the rough market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The Italian market for wood in the rough grew strongly from 10 721 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 13 440 thousand tonnes in 2019. This expansion occurred as new EU food labeling rules under Regulation 1169/2011 took effect, requiring Italian legislative adaptation that also impacted wood sector traceability and labeling standards. The subsequent adoption of EU regulations in 2019 further reformed procedures for protected designations of origin (PDO/PGI), introducing clearer labeling rules for agro-food goods relevant to certified wood products.

Market volume fell to 11 536 thousand tonnes in 2020 following the reinforced enforcement of the European Timber Regulation (EUTR), which restricted the availability of timber by mandating strict due diligence against illegal wood. A partial recovery to 12 100 thousand tonnes occurred in 2021 as the industry adapted to these traceability requirements and national registration systems were developed. The market then stabilized around 12 075 thousand tonnes in 2022, a period marked by a more than 20% surge in operational costs across the wood sector due to inflation and energy shocks, which pressured demand and margins.

By 2023, the market volume declined to 10 747 thousand tonnes. This downturn coincided with further legislative updates focusing on market digitalization and competitiveness, alongside revised EU norms on the commercialization and labeling of agro-food products that introduced stricter origin requirements, potentially affecting associated wood product segments.

Production wood in the rough in Italy

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

Italy produced 10 297 thousand tonnes of wood in the rough in 2020, marking a significant 13.8% decline from the previous year. Looking at the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 21.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 8 480 thousand tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2019 with 11 938 thousand tonnes. The most substantial year-on-year increase was in 2019, when production surged by 40.8%.

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

Exports wood in the rough from Italy

Exports in kind, K t

The market exhibited volatility throughout the observed period. Italy exported 307 thousand tonnes of wood in the rough in 2020, representing a 39.2% decrease compared to the previous year. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 55 thousand tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 505 thousand tonnes. Imports fluctuated significantly, with a 9.2-fold difference between the low of 2018 and the high of 2019. The sharpest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 61.4%, whereas the largest increase was in 2019, jumping by 817.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Austria, China, and Slovenia were the top contributors to Italy's wood in the rough exports by volume. Austria accounted for 64.8% of exports, China for 15.1%, and Slovenia for 10.5%. Together, these three countries represented 90.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The data shows irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. In 2020, Italy's exports of wood in the rough reached 52.3 million US dollars, a robust 20.1% decrease from 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 23.0 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2019 at 65.5 million US dollars. The most significant increase occurred in 2019, rising by 184.5%. The peak-to-trough ratio between the high of 2019 and the low of 2018 was 2.8 times.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Austria, China, and Slovenia led as the top buyers of wood in the rough from Italy by value. Austria accounted for 53.8% of exports, China for 13.7%, and Slovenia for 10.7%. Their combined share totaled 78.2% of Italy's total export value.

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

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

Imports wood in the rough to Italy

Imports in kind, K t

Italy's imports of wood in the rough declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported approximately 1 546 thousand tonnes, showing a robust 23.0% drop from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 37.2%, equating to an annualized decline of 14.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Slovenia, France, and Austria consistently held leading positions in Italy's wood in the rough imports by volume. Slovenia accounted for 30.3% of imports, France for 18.6%, and Austria for 13.5%. Together, these three countries made up 62.4% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Italy's imports of wood in the rough by value declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 188.1 million US dollars, marking an intense 25.2% loss compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 34.9%, with an average annual decline of 13.3%.

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

During 2017-2020, Slovenia, France, and Austria formed the main group of sources for Italy's wood in the rough imports by value. Slovenia accounted for 20.1% of imports, France for 18.7%, and Austria for 15.3%. Their combined share reached 54.0% of total import flows.

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

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