Wood in the rough market in Poland

Earlier Report Observations

At the start of the period, Poland was a major wood exporter with a positive trade balance and high forest certification rates. The market volume grew from 27 018 thousand tons in 2018 to 28 160 thousand tons in 2019. In 2020, despite rising wood prices caused by strong global demand from the USA and China, which created domestic shortages, the market volume stabilized at 28 253 thousand tons.

The market expanded by 5.4% to 29 777 thousand tons in 2021, supported by robust demand from the construction sector, where the market for wooden structures exceeded PLN 3.1 billion. However, in 2022, the volume fell to 29 351 thousand tons after the introduction of logging restrictions by State Forests and increased use of wood for energy, which reduced raw material availability for industry.

In 2023, the market volume dropped by 9.0% to 26 710 thousand tons due to weaker domestic and foreign demand, leading to price declines, and deteriorating profitability in the wood processing and furniture industries. In 2024, new regulations were implemented, including a moratorium on oak logging and changes to technical requirements for wood.

Production wood in the rough in Poland

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Poland ranked as the 19th largest producer of wood in the rough globally.

Top producers of wood in the rough, 2017-2020

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

Poland's production of wood in the rough declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 26 413 K t, marking a 6.2% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 10.3%, with an average annual decline of 3.6%. The highest production level was in 2018 at 30 362 K t, which saw a 3.1% increase. The sharpest drop occurred in 2019, with a 7.3% decrease.

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

Exports wood in the rough from Poland

Exports in kind, K t

The export market for wood in the rough showed significant volatility during this period. Exports peaked in 2018 at 4 185 K t, then plummeted to a low of 0.0 K t in 2019, representing a 100.0% decline. In 2020, exports recovered slightly to 0.1 K t, a 46.9% increase from 2019. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 110.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany was the top destination for Poland's wood in the rough exports, accounting for 56.4% of the total. Czechia followed with 7.9%, and Sweden with 6.4%. Together, these three countries made up 70.6% of all exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Export values for wood in the rough displayed an unstable trend over these years. The peak was in 2018 at 407.6 M $ US, while the trough was in 2019 at 0.1 M $ US, a 100.0% decline. In 2020, exports rose to 0.1 M $ US, a 45.3% increase from the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2018 at 116.4%.

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

In terms of value from 2017 to 2020, Germany led as the main destination for Poland's wood in the rough exports, with a 48.6% share. Czechia accounted for 10.1%, and China for 7.1%. Combined, these three countries represented 65.7% of total export value.

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

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

Imports wood in the rough to Poland

Imports in kind, K t

Import volumes for wood in the rough experienced irregular changes, indicating a volatile market. The minimum was in 2019 at 1 K t, followed by a sharp rise to 1 840 K t in 2020, a 192,762.5% increase. The largest decline was in 2019 at 99.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Czechia was the largest source of wood in the rough imports to Poland, making up 30.9% of the total. Belarus contributed 26.9%, and Lithuania 10.6%. Together, these three countries accounted for 68.5% of imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Import values for wood in the rough were characterized by volatility during this period. The low point was in 2019 at 1.5 M $ US, with a 98.6% decline. In 2020, imports surged to 130.6 M $ US, an 8,674.5% increase from the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Czechia dominated Poland's wood in the rough imports in value terms, with a 26.0% share. Lithuania followed at 15.7%, and Slovakia at 13.7%. Collectively, these three countries represented 55.3% of total import value.

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

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