Wood in the rough market in Northern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The market for wood in the rough in Northern Europe expanded in 2021, reaching 140.7 million tons, as environmental priorities and the adoption of engineered wood products like cross-laminated timber (CLT) boosted demand from the construction sector. This growth was part of a longer-term trend toward using wood frames in buildings, driven by sustainability goals in both public and private projects.

Subsequently, market volume contracted to 131.6 million tons by 2023, influenced by economic headwinds including high inflation and rising interest rates, which dampened investment in wood-based construction. Regulatory standards such as Eurocode 5 for timber design continued to shape industry practices, but the primary drag came from macroeconomic conditions affecting consumer and developer spending.

Throughout the period, the industry saw ongoing concentration among sawmill operators, with a handful of large firms accounting for a dominant share of production. The sector remained export-oriented, with Europe as a key destination, while domestic demand was supported by certification schemes like FSC and PEFC that promoted sustainable forestry and building materials.

Production wood in the rough in Northern 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

Northern Europe's production of wood in the rough declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 128.2 million tonnes, marking a slight decrease of 2.3% compared to the previous year. Production peaked in 2018 at 133.2 million tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 2.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of wood in the rough production in Northern Europe fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 14 946 million US dollars, down 5.8% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 6.1%, averaging 2.0% per year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 16 192 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 14.9%.

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

Exports wood in the rough from Northern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of wood in the rough from Northern Europe decreased for the second year running. In 2020, exports stood at 7 721 thousand tonnes, a drop of 18.8% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 11.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.1%. The peak was in 2018 at 11 112 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest annual rise of 27.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, exports in kind were spread across numerous partner countries. Germany accounted for 8.7% of exports, China for 7.1%, and Poland for 2.9%, together making up just 18.8% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Northern Europe's wood in the rough exports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 900 million US dollars, falling 21.7% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 5.3%, averaging a decline of 1.8% per year. The maximum value was in 2018 at 1 351 million US dollars, which also recorded the largest annual increase of 42.1%.

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

An analysis of exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 reveals a wide distribution across many markets. China represented 10.6% of exports, Germany 7.7%, and Poland 3.3%, together accounting for only 21.6% of total flows, with the remaining 78.4% going to other partners.

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

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

Imports wood in the rough to Northern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, imports of wood in the rough into Northern Europe totaled 13 652 thousand tonnes, up 10.7% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 25.4%, averaging 7.8% per year. The highest volume was in 2018 at 17 095 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest annual increase of 57.1%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 27.9%.

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

Data from 2017 to 2020 show that imports in kind to Northern Europe were not heavily concentrated. Russia accounted for 24.8% of imports, Norway for 18.4%, and Poland for 3.7%, together representing 46.9% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Imports of wood in the rough into Northern Europe fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 1 216 million US dollars, down 12.5% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 25.3%, averaging 7.8% per year. The peak value was in 2018 at 1 634 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual rise of 68.4%. The largest decline was in 2019, with a decrease of 15.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner structure for imports in value terms was balanced rather than concentrated. Russia accounted for 22.0% of imports, Norway for 14.8%, and Poland for 4.4%, together making up 41.2% of total flows, while many other countries accounted for the remaining 58.8%.

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

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