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EU imports of fuel wood totaled $1.8 billion in 2023. The two main categories of fuel wood imported by the EU are wood pellets and wood chips. This report focuses on the bioenergy market for wood chips in Northwestern Europe, which is increasingly seeking to import from outside the EU.

On December 12, the Secretary of State (SOS) for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) Steve Barclay announced draft legislation to stop products from illegal deforestation from being sold in the United Kingdom (UK).

India is the world’s most populous country and boasts one of the fastest growing economies in the world. As Indian households continue to reach higher levels of consumer spending, imported agricultural products are becoming more accessible to a larger number of people.

FAS/Canada forecasts Canada's wood pellet production to decline by six percent in 2023 as a result of closure of pellet mills, reductions in allowable cut, and a high activity wildfire season.

Japan has decided to fully enact the revised Clean Wood Act from April 1, 2025.

Ample opportunities exist for U.S. agricultural exports to South Korea. Highlighted in the chart above, U.S. agricultural product exports were a record $9.5 billion in 2022, up 2 percent from 2021. South Korea is the sixth largest export market for the United States, thanks in part to a successful free trade agreement (KORUS) between the two countries and a robust demand for high-quality U.S. food products.

The APHIS and FAS China offices have confirmed with the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China (GACC) Department of Animal Plant Quarantine (DAPQ) that sulfuryl fluoride is allowed for fumigation of U.S.-origin logs before export to China.

In recent years, wood logs and processed wood products exports have accounted for seven percent of New Zealand's commodity exports. Approximately 38 percent of New Zealand’s landmass features native and exotic forestry; of this area, production forestry currently covers 6.5 percent or 1.8 million hectares of the country.

Taiwan aims to expand use of renewable energy to 20 percent by 2025. Developing renewable energy is the most important implementation component to reach the goal and wood pellets is a green energy resource option being considered by Taiwan.

On May 8, 2023, the Forestry Agency revised the Clean Wood Act. On October 11, 2023, the Forestry Agency proposed what types of information can be considered as equivalent to legal harvest certification.

In 2022, EU wood pellet consumption hit a new record of 24.8 million metric tons (MMT) mainly due to increased residential use.

China’s consumption of wood products has fallen significantly due to slowing economic growth, a weakened housing sector, changing consumer preferences, and reduced demand from overseas markets.