E.U.: Boom in imports of wood pellets from the U.S. continues in 2014

Source:
IHB/Eurostat
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E.U. imports of wood pellets from the United States showed no signs of slowing in early 2014, with the rate of growth likely to accelerate in the second half of the year. According to Eurostat latest statistics, the European Union countries have imported 56% more wood pellets from the U.S. in the first four months of 2014 if compared to the same period of 2013. Thus the U.S. covers now a third of all E.U. worldwide pellet purchases being its major source.

The driving force behind this development is unmistakably the United Kingdom, as major U.K. power plants such as Drax are currently undergoing major coal-biomass conversion plans. In January-April, the U.K. imported almost 700 thousand tons of wood pellets from the U.S. (+54% yoy) at a value of €90,7 million, covering 58% of all European purchases.

Belgium is the second E.U. importer of U.S. pellets, with a quantity of 165 thousand tons, lower by -13% over January-April 2013. In the period mentioned, the Netherlands and Denmark, the other two major European pellet consumers, have also significantly increased their imports three times and five times respectively.

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