Wood pellets market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, Romania's wood pellet production gradually declined from 600 thousand tons to 378 thousand tons. This contraction was primarily driven by stringent forestry regulations that limited domestic access to wood raw material, a factor prominently cited from 2020 onward. Despite lower production, local demand for pellets as an eco-friendly and cost-effective heating alternative grew steadily, supported by shifting consumer preferences and promotional campaigns.

The period saw significant market development, including investments in automated production lines and modern pelleting equipment that improved efficiency. The number of local producers expanded, and new product segments emerged, such as pellets made from agricultural residues like straw and corn stalks. These innovations helped valorize waste streams and broadened the market's base.

While exports rose sharply until 2021, absorbing much of the domestic output and reducing the internal market size, a steep drop in exports in 2023 allowed the local market volume to rebound to 273 thousand tons. This shift occurred alongside a continued industry focus on product quality standards for moisture, ash content, and calorific value.

Production wood pellets in Romania

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Romania was among the world's leading producers of wood pellets from 2017 to 2020, ranking 16th globally by production volume.

Top producers of wood pellets, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood pellets, 2017-2020

In 2020, Romania produced 550.0 K t of wood pellets, marking an 8.3% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production declined by 8.3%, which translates to an annualized rate of 2.9%. The largest increase occurred in 2018, at 0.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Romania's wood pellets production volume declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 98.0 M $ US, representing an 11.4% decrease year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 6.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.1%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 121.6 M $ US, with the largest increase that year at 16.4%.

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

Exports wood pellets from Romania

Exports in kind, K t

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a 2.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Romania's volume of wood pellets exports totalled 388.9 K t, which is 61.9% higher year-over-year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 139.5 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 23.8%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 72.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the largest buyers of wood pellets from Romania were Austria (40.4% of exports in kind), Italy (17.3% of exports in kind), and Bulgaria (15.2% of exports in kind), together accounting for 72.9% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Cross-border shipments of wood pellets from Romania increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Romania exported 69 326 K $ US of wood pellets, representing a steep advance of 56.5% compared with 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 117.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 29.6%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 28 269 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 11.3%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 56.7%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, the main buyers of wood pellets from Romania in value terms were Austria (39.8% of exports), Italy (16.6% of exports), and Bulgaria (15.2% of exports), together comprising 71.6% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports wood pellets to Romania

Imports in kind, K t

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Import volumes reached their lowest level in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 6.4 times. In 2020, Romania's wood pellets imports totalled 41.8 K t, constituting a robust advance of 12.3% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 206.1 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 81.9%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 541.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading suppliers of wood pellets to Romania were Ukraine (33.0% of imports in kind), Greece (22.9% of imports in kind), and Poland (19.6% of imports in kind), with their combined share reaching 75.4% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The volume of wood pellets imports to Romania increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 6 647 K $ US, which is 7.1% stronger compared with 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 17.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 5.6%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the core group of markets for imports in value terms were Ukraine (62.1% of imports), Greece (8.6% of imports), and Poland (6.5% of imports), together representing 77.1% of total flows.

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

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