Finland: Production and imports of wood pellets reached new records in 2018

More wood pellets were produced and imported in 2018 than ever before. In addition, the exports of wood pellets from Finland increased. This information is shown by the latest wood pellet statistics of the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke).

“A total of 385,000 tonnes of wood pellets were produced in Finland in 2018, which was almost one-fifth more than during the previous year, and the highest in history. The previous production record of 373,000 tonnes was reached ten years ago in 2008”.

In 2018, a total of 95,000 tonnes of wood pellets were imported to Finland, being more than ever before. Imports increased by nearly 10 per cent from the previous year. Most pellets, more than 90 per cent, were imported from Russia. In addition, the exports of wood pellets increased from the year before. A total of 43,000 tonnes of wood pellets were exported, one-sixth more than in the previous year. Exports directed almost entirely to Denmark and Sweden. The highest export volume was recorded in 2008 when more than five times the volume exported in 2018 was sold abroad.