Densified Wood Market

The global market for densified wood is projected to increase in both volume and value over the next eight years, with a forecasted CAGR of +1.5% and +3.5% respectively. In 2022, global consumption reached 6.4M tons, with notable consumption volumes in China, the United States, and Russia. Production and imports also saw growth, while exports reached record highs in 2022. Latvia, Brazil, and Poland were among the major exporters of densified wood. Average export prices stood at $1,444 per ton in 2022.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for densified wood worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +1.5% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 7.2M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +3.5% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $16.4B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Densified Wood

For the seventh year in a row, the global market recorded growth in consumption of densified wood, which increased by 0.2% to 6.4M tons in 2022. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 7.7%. Global consumption peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

The global densified wood market revenue contracted markedly to $12.4B in 2022, reducing by -74.4% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Over the period under review, consumption enjoyed pronounced growth. Over the period under review, the global market attained the maximum level at $48.4B in 2021, and then reduced rapidly in the following year.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were China (1.5M tons), the United States (936K tons) and Russia (272K tons), with a combined 42% share of global consumption. Japan, Nigeria, Brazil, Indonesia, the UK, Turkey and Democratic Republic of the Congo lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 22%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Nigeria (with a CAGR of +8.5%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Japan ($2.3B), China ($1.6B) and the United States ($1.2B) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2022, together accounting for 41% of the global market. Indonesia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, the UK, Russia, Turkey, Nigeria and Brazil lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 14%.

Among the main consuming countries, Nigeria, with a CAGR of +6.9%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to market size over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The countries with the highest levels of densified wood per capita consumption in 2022 were the United States (2.8 kg per 1000 persons), the UK (2.8 kg per 1000 persons) and Japan (2.2 kg per 1000 persons).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the main consuming countries, was attained by Nigeria (with a CAGR of +5.7%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Densified Wood

Global densified wood production declined slightly to 6.1M tons in 2022, flattening at 2021. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the production volume increased by 8%. Over the period under review, global production attained the maximum volume at 6.1M tons in 2019; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

In value terms, densified wood production dropped modestly to $10.2B in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 10%. Over the period under review, global production hit record highs at $10.9B in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were China (1.5M tons), the United States (922K tons) and Russia (275K tons), together accounting for 44% of global production. Japan, Brazil, Nigeria, Indonesia, the UK, Turkey, Latvia, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Egypt lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 27%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Latvia (with a CAGR of +23.1%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports

World Imports of Densified Wood

For the sixth year in a row, the global market recorded growth in purchases abroad of densified wood, which increased by 4.1% to 682K tons in 2022. In general, imports saw buoyant growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when imports increased by 25%. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in the near future.

In value terms, densified wood imports rose remarkably to $627M in 2022. Over the period under review, imports recorded prominent growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 37%. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Imports By Country

In 2022, the Netherlands (104K tons), distantly followed by Malaysia (52K tons), Germany (44K tons), Iran (44K tons), France (44K tons), Saudi Arabia (43K tons) and Denmark (32K tons) represented the major importers of densified wood, together committing 53% of total imports. Poland (27K tons), Burkina Faso (25K tons), the United States (24K tons), Kazakhstan (16K tons), Italy (16K tons) and Spain (15K tons) held a minor share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to densified wood imports into the Netherlands stood at +11.2%. At the same time, Malaysia (+44.5%), Kazakhstan (+43.5%), the United States (+38.5%), Saudi Arabia (+31.8%), Germany (+19.9%), Iran (+17.7%), Poland (+14.6%), France (+12.9%), Denmark (+6.1%), Burkina Faso (+4.9%) and Spain (+4.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Malaysia emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +44.5% from 2012-2022. Italy experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. Malaysia (+7.2 p.p.), Saudi Arabia (+5.3 p.p.), Germany (+3.9 p.p.), Iran (+3.3 p.p.), the United States (+3.1 p.p.), Kazakhstan (+2.2 p.p.), the Netherlands (+2.1 p.p.) and France (+1.6 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global imports, while Denmark, Burkina Faso and Italy saw its share reduced by -1.8%, -2% and -3.6% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Iran ($63M), Germany ($47M) and France ($46M) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 25% share of global imports. Malaysia, the United States, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Poland, Italy, Denmark, Kazakhstan, Spain and Burkina Faso lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 33%.

Among the main importing countries, Kazakhstan, with a CAGR of +36.6%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average densified wood import price amounted to $919 per ton, surging by 9% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, continues to indicate a mild shrinkage. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 10% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the maximum at $1,055 per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Iran ($1,431 per ton), while Burkina Faso ($106 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Burkina Faso (+8.0%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Densified Wood

For the fifth consecutive year, the global market recorded growth in overseas shipments of densified wood, which increased by 2.4% to 380K tons in 2022. Over the period under review, total exports indicated strong growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +8.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +60.2% against 2017 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when exports increased by 33% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports hit record highs in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, densified wood exports skyrocketed to $548M in 2022. In general, exports posted a buoyant increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when exports increased by 42% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports hit record highs in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in the near future.

Exports By Country

In 2022, Latvia (72K tons), distantly followed by Brazil (38K tons), Poland (38K tons), the Netherlands (28K tons), Germany (18K tons) and Belgium (18K tons) represented the major exporters of densified wood, together mixing up 56% of total exports. Malaysia (14K tons), China (13K tons), Croatia (13K tons), Romania (12K tons), Spain (11K tons), Italy (10K tons) and Estonia (9.6K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Brazil (with a CAGR of +52.7%), while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest densified wood supplying countries worldwide were Poland ($49M), the Netherlands ($47M) and Germany ($47M), together comprising 26% of global exports. Latvia, Croatia, Italy, Belgium, Malaysia, Spain, Brazil, Estonia, China and Romania lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 42%.

Among the main exporting countries, Brazil, with a CAGR of +41.6%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

The average densified wood export price stood at $1,444 per ton in 2022, increasing by 12% against the previous year. Overall, the export price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 18%. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the maximum in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Italy ($2,743 per ton), while Brazil ($511 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Malaysia (+20.4%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform