Europe: Wood Pellets Market 2025

Wood Pellets Market Size in Europe

The Europe wood pellets market expanded rapidly to $X in 2022, growing by 6.1% against the previous year. The total consumption indicated a strong expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +8.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +121.9% against 2012 indices. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

Wood Pellets Production in Europe

In value terms, wood pellets production dropped slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total production indicated resilient growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production decreased by -2.9% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 20%. Over the period under review, production reached the maximum level at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Wood Pellets Exports

Exports in Europe

In 2022, overseas shipments of wood pellets decreased by -4.1% to X tons for the first time since 2016, thus ending a five-year rising trend. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a strong increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 26% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2021, and then declined slightly in the following year.

In value terms, wood pellets exports surged to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, enjoyed a prominent expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 39%. The level of export peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

The biggest shipments were from Russia (X tons), Latvia (X tons), Estonia (X tons) and Denmark (X tons), together finishing at 46% of total export. It was distantly followed by Austria (X tons), Germany (X tons) and Belarus (X tons), together generating a 15% share of total exports. The following exporters - Ukraine (X tons), Lithuania (X tons), Portugal (X tons), Belgium (X tons), Poland (X tons) and the Czech Republic (X tons) - together made up 21% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Denmark (with a CAGR of +37.1%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest wood pellets supplying countries in Europe were Latvia ($X), Estonia ($X) and Austria ($X), together accounting for 29% of total exports. Russia, Germany, Belgium, Lithuania, Poland, Denmark, the Czech Republic, Portugal, Ukraine and Belarus lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 48%.

Among the main exporting countries, Belgium, with a CAGR of +37.1%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Europe stood at $X per ton in 2022, rising by 35% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.3%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Austria ($X per ton), while Russia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Poland (+6.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Wood Pellets Imports

Imports in Europe

After ten years of growth, supplies from abroad of wood pellets decreased by -8.5% to X tons in 2022. Overall, imports, however, posted a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 37% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2021, and then shrank in the following year.

In value terms, wood pellets imports surged to $X in 2022. In general, imports, however, showed resilient growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 42% against the previous year. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

The UK represented the major importer of wood pellets in Europe, with the volume of imports recording X tons, which was approx. 37% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Denmark (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons), Italy (X tons) and Belgium (X tons), together comprising a 42% share of total imports. The following importers - France (X tons), Austria (X tons), Germany (X tons), Poland (X tons) and Latvia (X tons) - together made up 13% of total imports.

Imports into the UK increased at an average annual rate of +17.7% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, France (+42.1%), Latvia (+25.3%), the Netherlands (+9.6%), Poland (+9.0%), Austria (+5.9%), Italy (+5.1%), Denmark (+3.1%) and Germany (+2.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, France emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Europe, with a CAGR of +42.1% from 2012-2022. Belgium experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. From 2012 to 2022, the share of the UK and France increased by +20 and +4 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the UK ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported wood pellets in Europe, comprising 34% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Italy ($X), with a 15% share of total imports. It was followed by Denmark, with a 12% share.

In the UK, wood pellets imports increased at an average annual rate of +18.8% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Italy (+9.8% per year) and Denmark (+5.4% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Europe amounted to $X per ton, jumping by 27% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.2%. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Italy ($X per ton), while Poland ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Italy (+4.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform