Wood in the rough market in Switzerland

Earlier Report Observations

The Swiss wood in the rough market began the period at 2.7 million tons in 2018, supported by increasing timber harvests driven by the energy crisis and rising demand for construction wood, which also activated private forest owners. This trend continued into 2019, although the market volume declined to 2.4 million tons. A recovery to 2.6 million tons followed in 2020, coinciding with mandatory integration of regulatory adjustments in construction permits for wood end-use analysis.

From 2021, the revised Swiss timber trade customs entered into force, alongside rising wood prices and forest recovery after dry years, supporting a market volume of 2.7 million tons. The implementation of the Timber Trade Ordinance (HHV) in January 2022 introduced new due diligence and declaration rules to combat illegal logging, while the new 'Swiss Wood' label regulation from July 2022 reinforced origin transparency. Concurrently, the energy crisis and strong construction demand pushed timber harvests up by 4%, notably for energy wood, lifting the market to 2.9 million tons in 2022. By 2023, the market stabilized at 2.7 million tons, with harvesting influenced by weather conditions and the ongoing preparation for industry-set reference prices under the Forest Act.

Production wood in the rough in Switzerland

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

Switzerland produced 2 975 thousand tonnes of wood in the rough in 2020, representing a year-on-year increase of 4.1%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 2.1%, which translates to an average annual rate of 0.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 2 858 thousand tonnes, while the highest was in 2018 at 3 234 thousand tonnes. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 with an 11.6% drop, whereas the largest increase was in 2018 with an 11.0% rise.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output of wood in the rough in Switzerland was valued at 317.2 million US dollars, showing a moderate gain of 9.7% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was observed in 2019 at 289.3 million US dollars, while the maximum was in 2018 at 352.0 million US dollars. The most substantial decline took place in 2019 with a 17.8% decrease, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 10.7% rise.

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

Exports wood in the rough from Switzerland

Exports in kind, K t

Switzerland's exports of wood in the rough declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the export volume totaled 428.6 thousand tonnes, marking a year-on-year drop of 25.9%. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 16.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.9%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 677.2 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 31.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Austria, and France were the key partners for Switzerland's exports of wood in the rough in volume terms. Italy accounted for 40.9% of exports, Austria for 21.9%, and France for 16.5%, together making up 79.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Switzerland's exports of wood in the rough in value terms declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 45 691 thousand US dollars, indicating a significant drop of 22.0% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 18.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.6%. The peak value was in 2018 at 73 722 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 31.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy, France, and Austria were the three main markets for Switzerland's wood in the rough exports in value terms, collectively absorbing 79.6% of total exports.

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

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

Imports wood in the rough to Switzerland

Imports in kind, K t

Switzerland's imports of wood in the rough declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 77.3 thousand tonnes, which is 35.7% less than in 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 54.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -23.1%.

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

During 2017-2020, Germany and France were the primary sources for Switzerland's imports of wood in the rough in volume terms, jointly accounting for 90.8% of total imports, while the remaining volume was distributed among smaller markets.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Switzerland's imports of wood in the rough in value terms fell for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports came to 15 857 thousand US dollars, marking a strong decline of 11.6% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 24%, equating to an average annual rate of -8.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, France, and Italy formed the core of Switzerland's imports of wood in the rough in value terms. Germany accounted for 49.7% of imports, France for 27.8%, and Italy for 8.8%, together representing 86.3% of total import flows.

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

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