In 2024, total EU sawnwood production reached approximately 108 million m³, marking a slight –1.2% decline from the 2022 peak of 113 million m³. Coniferous sawnwood dominated EU imports by value at $5.5 billion (73% of total) while non-coniferous made up the remaining 27% at around $2 billion. Average EU import price for sawnwood hovered at $290/m³, up 11% from the previous year. Specifically, non-coniferous sawnwood fetched a higher average of $507/m³, compared to $251/m³ for coniferous. On the export side, EU sawnwood shipments fell 22.4% in volume to 53 million m³ in 2024, valued at $14.1 billion.

Coniferous Sawnwood Dynamics. Focusing on coniferous sawnwood:
- Imports dropped 24.8% in volume to 22 million m³, valued at $5.5 billion.
- Key importing countries by value in 2024 were Italy ($975M), The Netherlands ($762M), and Germany ($580M).
- Import prices averaged $251/m³, slightly up year-over-year but 11.5% below the 2022 peak of $284/m³.
- Export volumes fell 13.4% to 49 million m³, with value falling to $11.9 billion.
- Leading exporters included Sweden, Germany, and Finland (accounting for over 61% of export value).
- EU export prices averaged $244/m³, up 5% on the year but below earlier peaks.

Future Outlook & Growth Projections. Growth in the non-coniferous sawnwood segment is expected to persist:
- Forecasts project CAGR of +1.6% in volume from 2024 to 2035, reaching 12 million m³.
- In value terms, the same period should see CAGR of +2.6%, forecasting a market value of $7.2 billion by 2035.

Broader Industry Context & Market Drivers. The broader European sawmilling & wood planing sector had a market value of €59.7 billion in 2024, and revenues have steadily grown at 3.1% CAGR since 2019. In 2023, the EU saw sawn softwood consumption drop 8.4% to 87.9 million m³, the lowest in five years. Downstream pressures - including slowing construction activity, elevated energy costs, and supply chain challenges - are shaping market dynamics.

For B2B stakeholders, understanding these shifts is essential:
- Supply strategies need to accommodate tightening volumes and price volatility, particularly for coniferous sawnwood.
- Non-coniferous segments offer resilient growth and may warrant increased focus and investment.
- Operational efficiencies, such as advanced sawmilling, drying technologies, and product traceability, are critical to maintaining margins and market resilience.
- Market diversification - across EU buyers, import sources, and value-added product lines - can buffer against regional fluctuations.

Discover More! For comprehensive insights on EU sawnwood pricing trends, import-export data, forecasts, and strategic analysis, explore WoodBusinessPortal.com - your B2B hub for the evolving European wood market.

Sources:
1. unece.org
2. indexbox.io
3. mordorintelligence.com
4. ibisworld.com