Europe faces timber shortage crisis as demand outstrips hardwood supply

Posted on November 8, 2024   |  

Timber shortages are affecting Germany, Norway, and the Czech Republic, especially in softwood, which is essential for timber production and bioenergy.

Although Europe’s wood industry has substantial processing capacities (427 million m³ for pulp and paper, 102 million m³ for bioenergy, and 153 million m³ for sawmilling), it lacks sufficient wood supply to meet these needs.

Softwood shortfalls are significant in Germany, the Czech Republic, and Norway, with shortages of 3.8 million m³, 3.4 million m³, and 1.5 million m³, respectively.

Germany has a surplus of hardwood, about 3 million m³, presenting opportunities to expand its hardwood processing industry.

German sawmills and bioenergy plants face a softwood shortage despite having a processing capacity of 42.1 million m³ and an excess of graded wood at 65.2 million m³.

Norway’s sawmill and pulpwood sectors also lack softwood, with only 12.1 million m³ of graded wood available, covering just 75% of the sector's total 16 million m³ demand.

Czech sawmills have a 3.4 million m³ shortfall in softwood, with only 9 million m³ of logs available against a processing capacity of 12.4 million m³.

The Czech bioenergy sector also shows a gap, with a processing capacity of 2.5 million m³ against a supply of 8 million m³, while forest issues like bark beetle infestations reduce raw material availability.

Expanding Germany’s supply radius to its national borders could boost sawmill utilization rates to 90%, compared to the current 72% within a 100 km range.