Ukraine temporarily halts wood exports: what the statistics over the past years show
«The temporary export ban is a necessary step to help communities survive the winter and preserve jobs», – stated Prime Minister Yulia Sviridenko.
Against the backdrop of energy challenges and reduced logging, the government has decided to temporarily ban the export of fuelwood until the end of 2025, leaving in place the moratorium on the export of unprocessed timber, which has been in effect since 2015. This decision aims to ensure the heating season amid the war and meet the needs of the military.
As reported by ThePublic.info, even after the start of the full-scale invasion, the volume of fuelwood exports hardly decreased, and demand from European countries remained stable. Seven-year statistical data show that the largest importers of Ukrainian resources were Poland, Romania, and Germany.
How much wood was exported each year:
| Year | Export Volume | Value | Main Buyers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1,144 thousand tons | $111.78 million | Italy, Poland, Germany |
| 2020 | 1,072 thousand tons | $101.25 million | Poland, Italy, Germany |
| 2021 | 1,210 thousand tons (record) | $123.36 million | Romania, Poland, Germany |
| 2022 | 1,041 thousand tons | $193.27 million | Poland, Germany, Romania |
| 2023 | 1,201 thousand tons | $186.75 million | Romania, Poland, Germany |
| 2024 | 1,089 thousand tons | $131.17 million | Poland, Romania, Germany |
| 2025 (January–October) | 894 thousand tons | $136 million | Poland, Romania, Germany |
Key facts:
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2021 was a record year – over 1.2 million tons exported.
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In 2022, export volumes remained high, and the value increased to $193 million.
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Demand was stably maintained by Poland, Germany, and Romania.
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In 2025, exports continued until the government ban was adopted.
WHAT EXACTLY IS NOW BANNED FROM EXPORT
On October 31, the government updated Resolution No. 1399 and introduced a zero quota for the export of fuelwood in the form of:
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logs
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firewood
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branches
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slash
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chips and wood shavings
Prime Minister Yulia Sviridenko emphasized that the ban is an “imposed but vitally necessary step”, since wood remains a critical resource for heating in many regions, especially rural areas. At the same time, the decision is intended to support Ukrainian woodworking enterprises.
