Wood pellets market in Slovenia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the wood pellets market in Slovenia grew from 157 thousand tons to 206 thousand tons, with a sharp increase in 2020. This expansion was driven by subsidies from the Eko Fund, which encouraged investments in biomass heating systems, and the adoption of ENplus A1 quality standards that enhanced consumer confidence in pellets as an environmentally friendly fuel. The rising use of pellets in modern automatic boilers also facilitated broader adoption.

Market volume dropped to 111 thousand tons in 2021, likely impacted by global supply chain disruptions that constrained availability. However, demand rebounded to 125 thousand tons in 2022 as pellets became more price-competitive against heating oil at the start of the heating season, despite overall energy price surges. In 2023, consumption rose to 157 thousand tons, supported by a roughly one-third decrease in pellet prices after the 2022 peak, improving affordability. By 2024, the market continued stabilizing with further price declines and government support for wood-based projects, alongside regulations promoting the use of natural wood in small heating devices.

Production wood pellets in Slovenia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of wood pellets, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood pellets, 2017-2020

Slovenia's wood pellet production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 148.0 thousand tons of wood pellets, marking a significant 10.4% increase from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 28.7%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 8.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Slovenia's wood pellet production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 31 754 thousand US dollars, up by 6.7% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 28.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.8%.

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

Exports wood pellets from Slovenia

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Slovenia's exports of wood pellets amounted to 198.5 thousand tons, showing a slight decrease of 4.8% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 4.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.4%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 188.4 thousand tons, while the highest was in 2019 at 208.5 thousand tons. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 10.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy remained the leading destination for Slovenia's wood pellet exports in volume terms, accounting for 89.0% of total exports. Other markets made up the remainder, forming a long tail of smaller partners.

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, K $ US

After two years of growth, Slovenia's wood pellet exports declined in 2020. Exports reached 42 588 thousand US dollars, representing an 8.0% decrease from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports overall increased by 4.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.4%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 46 310 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in 2018, with a jump of 11.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Slovenia's wood pellet exports in value terms were heavily concentrated on Italy, which accounted for 89.7% of total exports. Other partners made up the remaining share.

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 pellets to Slovenia

Imports in kind, K t

Slovenia's wood pellet imports have risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported approximately 256.8 thousand tons of wood pellets, indicating an 11.9% increase year-on-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 42.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 12.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Romania, Austria, and Ukraine were the main sources for Slovenia's wood pellet imports in volume terms. Romania accounted for 32.6% of imports, Austria for 14.3%, and Ukraine for 13.0%, together representing 60.0% 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, K $ US

Slovenia's wood pellet imports declined for the second year in a row in 2020. Imports totaled 42 681 thousand US dollars, showing a 7.5% decrease year-on-year. From 2017 to 2020, imports overall increased by 20.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.3%. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 49 135 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in 2018, with a surge of 38.2%.

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

In the period from 2017 to 2020, three key markets—Romania, Austria, and Ukraine—together accounted for 60.4% of Slovenia's total wood pellet imports in value terms.

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

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