Wood pellets market in Switzerland, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the Swiss wood pellets market expanded significantly, with total market volume increasing from 315 thousand tons to 439 thousand tons, a growth of 39%. This expansion was underpinned by a steady rise in domestic production, which climbed from 227 thousand tons to 368 thousand tons over the same period.

The market's growth was not uniform year-on-year. Domestic production saw notable jumps in 2021 and 2023, while import volumes were volatile, peaking at 113 thousand tons in 2022 before declining to 72 thousand tons in 2023. The overall market size recorded its strongest annual increases in 2021 and 2022.

Entering 2024, import data points to a resurgence in external supply, reaching 120 thousand tons. Market conditions in Switzerland were characterized by stabilized wood pellet prices, enhancing their competitiveness against alternative energy sources. This price environment supported local production capacity and triggered investments in logistics infrastructure. Furthermore, stringent environmental policies and advanced, low-emission combustion technology for pellet boilers continued to shape demand and bolster the market's fundamentals.

Production wood pellets in Switzerland

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Switzerland was among the world's leading producers of wood pellets from 2017 to 2020, ranking 30th globally by production volume.

Top producers of wood pellets, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood pellets, 2017-2020

Switzerland's wood pellet production increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 270.0 K t of wood pellets, marking a modest gain of 5.1% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 28.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.7%.

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

Exports wood pellets from Switzerland

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Switzerland exported 160 t of wood pellets in 2020, a reduction of 64.4% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 450 t, while the minimum was in 2017, resulting in a 3.4-fold variation between these years. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with a growth of 117.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy and Germany continued to lead as the top markets for Switzerland's wood pellet exports in kind, together accounting for 89.9% of total flows, while other partners played a supplementary role.

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

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. In 2020, Switzerland's wood pellet exports totaled 45 K $ US, representing a steep contraction of 55.0% over the past year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 101 K $ US, while the minimum was in 2017, with import levels fluctuating 3.4-fold between these years. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with a growth of 211.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy remained the dominant partner for Switzerland's wood pellet exports in value terms, with a share of 78.3% of total flows, while other markets formed a long tail.

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 pellets to Switzerland

Imports in kind, t

Cross-border shipments of wood pellets to Switzerland declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 65 563 t, down by 13.3% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 28%, equating to an annualized rate of 10.4%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Germany, Austria, and France remained the key partners for Switzerland's wood pellet imports in kind, with shares of 53.1%, 24.2%, and 19.6% respectively, together accounting for 96.9% of total flows.

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

In 2020, the volume of wood pellet imports to Switzerland stood at 19 109 K $ US, which is 4.0% more relative to the prior year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 7.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.5%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 18 365 K $ US, while the maximum was in 2018 at 21 490 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 14.5%, and the largest increase was in 2018, with a growth of 4.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Austria, and France made the biggest contribution to Switzerland's wood pellet imports in value terms, with shares of 52.6%, 22.1%, and 21.6% respectively, jointly accounting for 96.3% of total flows.

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

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