Wood in the rough market in Slovenia

Earlier Report Observations

The Slovenian market for wood in the rough expanded from 1 698 thousand tons in 2018 to 2 206 thousand tons in 2023, driven by consecutive regulatory changes that boosted construction activity. The new Building Act, which took effect in June 2018, established new conditions for construction projects, stimulating demand for wood. This momentum was sustained by further legislative simplification in June 2022, including eased procedures for obtaining usage permits, which encouraged new residential building projects. Concurrently, a consumer trend emerged favoring the addition of prefabricated wooden external structures to homes, directly increasing demand for wood materials and supporting market growth throughout the period.

Market value more than doubled from 2021 to 2022, peaking at 345.9 million USD, primarily due to record-high average log purchase prices in 2022 reflecting intense market demand. This price surge was underpinned by strong activity in timber auctions and increased domestic wood processing within the industry, which elevated the value of consumption. While the market value slightly contracted in 2023 to 341.8 million USD, this stabilization coincided with broader macroeconomic pressures, including inflation and energy price volatility, which tempered costs and demand. Throughout these years, the industry also benefited from increased use of non-repayable and repayable funds for investments in wood processing, fostering modernization and capacity development.

Production wood in the rough in Slovenia

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

Wood in the rough production in Slovenia has declined for the second year in a row. In 2019, production stood at 3 003 K t, but by 2020 it had dropped to 2 529 K t, marking a significant decrease of 15.8%. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production fell by 13.7%, which translates to an average annual decline of 4.8%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 3 276 K t, with the largest year-on-year increase also occurring that year at 11.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of wood in the rough production in Slovenia has decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2019, output was valued at 310.5 M $ US, but in 2020 it fell to 262.7 M $ US, representing a substantial contraction of 15.4%. From 2017 to 2020, production value declined by 13%, averaging a 4.5% annual drop. The peak value was reached in 2018 at 378.9 M $ US, which saw the largest increase of 25.5%. However, the most significant decline occurred in 2019 with an 18.1% decrease.

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

Exports wood in the rough from Slovenia

Exports in kind, K t

Slovenia's exports of wood in the rough have fallen for the third year running. In 2020, exports amounted to 1 189 K t, showing a sharp year-over-year decline of 19.2%. Over the four-year period from 2017 to 2020, exports dropped by 42.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -16.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Austria and Italy were consistently the top destinations for Slovenia's wood in the rough exports, together accounting for 86.1% of total export volume, while other countries made up the remaining share.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of Slovenia's wood in the rough exports has declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at 123.5 M $ US, which is 18.9% lower than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value decreased by 42.1%, with an average annual decline of 16.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 216.7 M $ US, which saw a modest increase of 1.5%. The most significant drop occurred in 2019 with a 29.8% decrease.

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

During the 2017–2020 period, Austria, Italy, and China were the primary markets for Slovenia's wood in the rough exports by value. Austria accounted for 52.3% of export value, Italy for 26.9%, and China for 8.2%, together representing 87.4% of total exports.

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

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

Imports wood in the rough to Slovenia

Imports in kind, K t

Slovenia's imports of wood in the rough have increased for the second year in a row. In 2019, imports were 382 K t, rising to 586 K t in 2020, a steep gain of 53.3% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, import volume grew by 97.5%, with an average annual increase of 25.5%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 296 K t, which saw a minor decline of 0.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Croatia, Austria, and Italy were the main sources of wood in the rough imports to Slovenia by volume. Croatia contributed 30.8% of imports, Austria 27.7%, and Italy 14.2%, together making up 72.7% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The value of wood in the rough imports to Slovenia has risen for the third consecutive year. In 2019, imports were valued at 45.0 M $ US, increasing to 62.7 M $ US in 2020, a significant jump of 39.4%. Over the 2017–2020 period, import value grew by 66.7%, with an average annual increase of 18.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Austria, Croatia, and Italy were the leading sources of wood in the rough imports to Slovenia by value. Austria accounted for 25.7% of import value, Croatia for 25.2%, and Italy for 13.5%, together representing 64.4% of total import flows.

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

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