Finland's production, export and import of wood pellets decreased in 2016 compared to the previous year, while a new record was set for producers’ pellet deliveries to customers. A total of 271,000 tonnes of wood pellets were produced in Finland in 2016, which was 10% less than during the previous year. Production decreased for the second year in a row.

Wood pellets

Luke: Finland's wood pellet production decreased by 10% in 2016

Finland's production, export and import of wood pellets decreased in 2016 compared to the previous year, while a new record was set for producers’ pellet deliveries to customers, as Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) reported.

“A total of 271,000 tonnes of wood pellets were produced in Finland in 2016, which was 10% less than during the previous year. Production decreased for the second year in a row. The highest production volume, 373,000 tonnes, was recorded in 2008,” explains Senior Statistician Esa Ylitalo from Luke.

The volume of wood pellet exports – 34,000 tonnes – decreased by just over 40% on the previous year and was the lowest recorded so far. Imports also fell by approximately one sixth compared to the previous year, amounting to 50,000 tonnes. A total of 98% of the imported pellets originated from Russia, while most of the exports were sold to Denmark and Sweden. The apparent consumption of wood pellets (production + imports – exports) in Finland amounted to 286,000 tonnes in 2016.

Deliveries based on pellet manufacturers’ domestic pellet production grew to 302,000 tonnes and amounted to more than ever before, due to the drop in exports and the selling of accrued stocks. The volume of wood pellets delivered to heat and power plants grew by one third on the previous year and amounted to 244,000 tonnes. On the other hand, the volume of wood pellets delivered to households and farms has stabilised at 58,000 tonnes in recent years.