Wood in the rough market in Slovakia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for wood in the rough in Slovakia saw its volume reach 5 629 thousand tonnes in 2018, edging up to 5 749 thousand tonnes in 2019. This initial growth was supported by increased demand from a revitalized construction sector and a surge in home repairs and renovations. The age structure of forests, with a high share of mature stands, also allowed for greater harvesting volumes. However, the market contracted sharply to 4 815 thousand tonnes in 2020. The decline in production capacity from previous years, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, constrained supply despite heightened consumer interest in construction wood for home improvement projects during lockdowns.

Market volume recovered to 5 435 thousand tonnes in 2021 and further to 5 523 thousand tonnes in 2022. This rebound was driven by sustained post-pandemic demand for housing upgrades, coupled with a shortage of raw materials and disrupted global supply chains, which led to a sharp spike in prices. Timber and wood product prices remained elevated in 2022 due to the ongoing raw material deficit and rising energy costs. During this period, growing demand for timber-frame buildings and modern wood constructions supported the development of new market segments, reinforced by environmental trends favoring sustainable building solutions.

In 2023, the market volume fell significantly to 4 348 thousand tonnes, a drop largely attributable to a steep decline in imports. Concurrently, the popularity of timber construction in Slovakia continued to rise, with the share of modern wood-based houses in new family homes exceeding 10%, supported by initiatives like the 'Wooden Construction of the Year' competition. By 2024, legislative amendments to the construction law were adopted, which will affect the timber construction sector, and the state forestry company concluded negotiations with wood processors on supply volumes for 2026, indicating ongoing market planning and raw material regulation.

Production wood in the rough in Slovakia

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

Slovakia's production of wood in the rough declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 4 841 thousand tons, marking a significant 16.8% drop from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 20.4%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 7.3%. The peak was in 2018, with 6 242 thousand tons, when production saw its largest increase of 2.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Slovakia's production of wood in the rough declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 564.2 million US dollars, showing a substantial 14.2% decrease compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production dropped by 9.7%, averaging a 3.4% annual decline. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 670.9 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 7.3%.

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

Exports wood in the rough from Slovakia

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Slovakia exported 1 412 thousand tons of wood in the rough, a modest 3.7% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 4.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.5%. The highest export volume was in 2018 at 1 450 thousand tons, which saw the largest increase of 7.5%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest decline of 6.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Czechia, Austria, and Poland remained the top buyers of wood in the rough from Slovakia. Czechia accounted for 32.9% of exports in kind, Austria for 22.9%, and Poland for 16.2%. Together, these three countries made up 71.9% of Slovakia's total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Slovakia's wood in the rough exports amounted to 164.5 million US dollars, a modest 7.0% increase over the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports rose by 18.7%, averaging a 5.9% annual growth. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 1.3%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 12.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Czechia, Austria, and Poland were the main destinations for Slovakia's wood in the rough exports in value terms. Czechia represented 32.6% of exports, Austria 17.3%, and Poland 13.8%. Combined, these three countries absorbed 63.7% of total export value.

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

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

Imports wood in the rough to Slovakia

Imports in kind, K t

Slovakia's imports of wood in the rough increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 1 386 thousand tons, a 7.6% gain from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports surged by 136.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 33.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Czechia, Poland, and Europe, not elsewhere specified, were the leading suppliers of wood in the rough to Slovakia. Czechia accounted for 42.3% of imports in kind, Poland for 20.8%, and Europe, not elsewhere specified for 13.8%. Together, they represented 76.8% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Slovakia's imports of wood in the rough increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 110.0 million US dollars, a 5.5% rise from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 159%, with an average annual growth rate of 37.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Czechia, Europe, not elsewhere specified, and Poland were the main sources in the geographical breakdown of wood in the rough imports to Slovakia in value terms. Czechia accounted for 41.9% of imports, Europe, not elsewhere specified for 20.5%, and Poland for 15.7%. Together, they made up 78.1% of total import flows.

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

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