Wood in the rough market in Lithuania

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market volume for wood in the rough in Lithuania edged down from 3 062 thousand tons to 2 910 thousand tons. This period saw a conscious policy to cut exports of logs and pulpwood, aiming to boost domestic processing. A sharp price correction in 2019, with wood prices dropping more than 40% after the previous year's peak, further contributed to the market's adjustment.

A sustained expansion began in 2021, lifting the market to 3 311 thousand tons that year and reaching 3 928 thousand tons by 2023. The growth was underpinned by the continued strategy of retaining raw material for local industry, which reduced exports of roundwood and pulpwood. In 2022, trade restrictions intensified this trend: a ban on wood imports from Belarus (effective June 2022) and from Russia (from July 10, 2022) redirected demand toward domestic supply. Government measures, such as limiting auction purchases by new buyers to secure wood for Lithuanian processors, further tightened local availability and supported market volume growth.

The market volume continued to rise in 2023, reaching 3 928 thousand tons, reflecting the ongoing structural shift toward greater domestic processing and stable industrial demand.

Production wood in the rough in Lithuania

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

After declining for two years, wood in the rough production in Lithuania increased in 2021. That year, Lithuania produced 4 299 K t of wood in the rough, marking a 3.9% rise compared to 2020. However, looking at the broader period from 2018 to 2021, production decreased by 5.3%, which translates to an annualized decline of 1.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2020 at 4 138 K t, with the largest year-on-year drop of 4.8% also occurring that year.

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

Exports wood in the rough from Lithuania

Exports in kind, K t

Cross-border shipments of wood in the rough from Lithuania declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports reached 1 220 K t, reflecting a significant decrease of 15.7% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports fell by 26.3%, equating to an annualized decline of 9.7%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Latvia, Poland, and Sweden remained the key destinations for Lithuania's wood in the rough exports in kind. Latvia accounted for 56.6% of exports, Poland for 14.2%, and Sweden for 11.3%. Together, these three countries represented 82.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After a two-year reduction, cross-border shipments of wood in the rough from Lithuania increased in 2021. That year, exports stood at 143.2 M $ US, reflecting an abrupt gain of 27.7% year-on-year. However, over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports decreased by 21.2%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -7.6%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 112.1 M $ US, with the largest decline of 25.3% also occurring that year.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Latvia, Poland, and China led the ranking of buyers of wood in the rough from Lithuania in value terms. Latvia accounted for 58.3% of exports, Poland for 14.0%, and China for 10.0%. Their combined share reached 82.2% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports wood in the rough to Lithuania

Imports in kind, K t

Lithuania's volume of wood in the rough imports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports came to 232 K t, representing a measured gain of 6.0% relative to the prior year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports grew by 30.3%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.2%.

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

In the period from 2018 to 2021, Poland, Latvia, and Belarus were the main sources for Lithuania's wood in the rough imports in kind. Poland accounted for 48.6% of imports, Latvia for 26.6%, and Belarus for 14.5%. Together, these three countries made up 89.7% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during the period. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 13.9 M $ US, with the largest decline of 11.9% occurring in 2019. In 2021, imports peaked at 23.7 M $ US, up by 70.9% compared to the previous year, showing a 1.7-fold variation between the trough and peak.

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

In the period from 2018 to 2021, Poland and Latvia together accounted for 82.2% of total imports in value terms, with other countries forming a diversified but less significant tail.

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

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