Wood in the rough market in Sweden

Earlier Report Observations

The Swedish market for wood in the rough expanded slightly from 55 936 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 56 060 thousand tonnes in 2019, supported by a national strategy that facilitated the entry of new players into the forestry sector. Production became increasingly concentrated, with the ten largest companies accounting for around 60% of sawn timber output. However, market volume dipped to 54 267 thousand tonnes in 2020 amid broader economic disruptions, even as industry sources highlighted rising long-term demand for wood in construction and climate-driven innovations.

A recovery to 55 408 thousand tonnes occurred in 2021, followed by a modest contraction to 54 965 thousand tonnes in 2022. The introduction of mandatory climate declarations for new buildings from January 2022 provided a fresh incentive for wood use, while growing interest in glued laminated timber and multi-storey timber buildings also supported demand. These positive drivers were partly offset by high inflation and energy prices that year. Concurrently, new health-certificate requirements for certain wood and bark products took effect in April 2022.

In 2023, the market volume fell more sharply to 52 515 thousand tonnes, reflecting distress in the timber-house manufacturing industry that prompted calls for urgent government measures to safeguard jobs and businesses. The same year saw the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) come into force, imposing due-diligence obligations on Swedish companies importing wood products from outside the EU.

Production wood in the rough in Sweden

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Sweden consistently ranked 10th globally in the production of wood in the rough.

Top producers of wood in the rough, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, Sweden produced 48 170 K t of wood in the rough, showing little change from 2019. The lowest production level was in 2018 at 47 566 K t, while the highest was in 2019 at 48 360 K t. The largest decrease occurred in 2018 with a 1.4% drop, and the largest increase was in 2019 with a 1.7% rise.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Sweden's wood in the rough production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 7 011 M $ US, down 7.4% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 16.8%, with an average annual decline of 6.0%. The peak value was in 2018 at 8 954 M $ US. The sharpest drop was in 2019 at 15.5%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 6.2%.

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

Exports wood in the rough from Sweden

Exports in kind, K t

Sweden's wood in the rough exports grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export volume reached 796 K t, a 17.5% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports rose by 10.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.3%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 585 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 19.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Norway, Finland, and Germany were the top buyers of wood in the rough from Sweden, accounting for 45.9%, 17.9%, and 11.3% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, they made up 75.1% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, Sweden's wood in the rough export value increased. In 2020, exports totaled 115.8 M $ US, up 9.2% year-over-year. However, from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 8.3%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 2.9%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 106.0 M $ US, with the largest drop occurring in 2018 at 12.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Norway, the United Kingdom, and Denmark were the key markets for Sweden's wood in the rough exports in value terms, representing 23.7%, 22.5%, and 19.5% of exports, respectively. Combined, they accounted for 65.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports wood in the rough to Sweden

Imports in kind, K t

Sweden's wood in the rough imports fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports were recorded at 6 893 K t, a 17.7% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 9.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.9%. The highest volume was in 2018 at 8 955 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 41.7%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Norway, Latvia, and Estonia were the primary sources for Sweden's wood in the rough imports in kind, together making up 72.3% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Import values fluctuated significantly, with a 1.9-fold difference between the low in 2017 and the high in 2018. In 2020, imports of wood in the rough to Sweden amounted to 453.4 M $ US, a sharp 27.3% drop from 2019. The peak value was in 2018 at 735.4 M $ US, which also experienced the largest increase of 93.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Norway, Latvia, and Estonia were the leading sources for Sweden's wood in the rough imports in value terms, accounting for 31.9%, 21.0%, and 16.0% of imports, respectively. Together, they represented 68.9% of total import flows.

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

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