Swedish forest exports: markets, products and rules
Sweden has the second-most forest per inhabitant in the EU after Finland, around 2.7 hectares per person, and is at the same time one of the world’s largest exporters of forest products (FAO, figures for 2022). The leading products in these exports are sawn timber, pulp, and paper and board. From 30 December 2026, the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) applies to you as an exporter.
Key figures for Swedish forest product exports in 2024
- Total export volume: 13.5 million cubic metres of sawn timber annually
- Export value: SEK 181 billion in 2025 (Skogsindustrierna), SEK 4 billion lower than in 2024
- Main markets: Germany, the UK, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, China and Japan
- Industry share of GDP: 9–11% of Sweden’s industrial production
- Employment: Over 70,000 direct jobs
Sweden’s leading forest products in export markets
Sawn timber
Sweden is the world’s third-largest exporter of sawn softwood after Canada and Russia (FAO 2024). Production was 17.8 million cubic metres of sawn softwood in 2024, and around 75% is exported when viewed over time (Skogsindustrierna). During 2025 and early 2026 production fell on the back of high costs and weak prices. Swedish sawmills have adapted to international markets by specialising in specific segments:
- Structural timber: Valued for its high strength in North America, Japan and Europe
- Furniture timber: Premium pine products for furniture, particularly in demand in China
- Glulam beams: Growing exports to environmentally conscious timber construction markets
Export challenge: Timber falls under different HS codes depending on treatment, dimensions and species. Misclassification can cause border delays and fines. Correct origin certification is essential because many countries apply different duty rates according to origin.
Pulp
Sweden is one of the world’s ten largest exporters of pulp. In 2024 Sweden exported 3.6 million tonnes of pulp, the eighth-largest volume in the world after Brazil, Canada, the USA, Indonesia, Chile, Uruguay and Finland (FAO 2024). Swedish pulp mills have been extensively modernised to focus on:
- Chemical pulp: almost all the pulp Sweden exports is chemical. In 2025, 3.4 of 3.9 million tonnes of exported wood pulp was chemical pulp, mainly sulphate pulp under commodity code 4703 (Statistics Sweden 2025). Mechanical pulp is barely exported at all; it goes to integrated mills in Sweden that make paper and board on site.
- Mechanical pulp: Optimised for newsprint and catalogue paper
- Dissolving pulp: A growing textile market as an alternative to cotton
Export challenge: Pulp requires no special chemicals registration. Cellulose pulp appears in Annex IV to the REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 and is exempt from the registration obligation. What you need is the commercial documentation: invoice, packing list, transport document and export declaration. Always check the receiving country’s own requirements, as they vary between markets. Transport represents a significant part of the final price, making efficient logistics essential.
Paper and board
Sweden produced 8 million tonnes of paper and board in 2024 (Skogsindustrierna). During 2025 deliveries of graphic paper fell by 6.1% while packaging materials fell by 2.0%. The focus has shifted from traditional printing paper to packaging and speciality papers:
- Kraftliner and corrugated board: Growing demand driven by e-commerce
- Liquid packaging board: Swedish strength in packaging for drinks and liquid foods
- Speciality papers: Technical papers for medical, industrial and electronic uses
Export challenge: Packaging must meet the importing country’s food safety requirements. Japan and the USA require specific certifications that differ from EU standards, requiring careful document management.
The forestry export value chain: from seedling to global market
The route from a Swedish forest to an international customer involves several critical stages where correct export handling is essential:
- Harvesting and primary processingSustainable forestry under FSC/PEFC standards, initial quality grading and measurement.
- Industrial processingSawing, drying and planing timber, pulp and paper production, quality control to international standards.
- Export preparationCorrect Harmonized System (HS) classification, proof of origin and commercial documents, phytosanitary certificates for wood products, FSC/PEFC chain-of-custody certification.
- International logisticsOptimising sea, rail and road transport, choosing appropriate Incoterms for forest products, consolidation and container utilisation.
- Customs clearanceExport declarations and customs classification, compliance with export restrictions, and destination-country import requirements.
Global trends affecting Swedish forestry exports
Sustainability as a competitive advantage
Swedish forestry businesses treat sustainability as both an obligation and a strategic market advantage:
- Carbon-neutral production: Over 95% of energy used in Swedish sawmills comes from renewable sources
- Certified raw materials: 14.9 million hectares of productive forest land was certified to FSC or PEFC in 2025. That is 67% of all productive forest land outside formal protection (Swedish Forest Agency 2025). Of that area, 77% is double-certified to both systems.
- Circular economy: Innovative processes turn by-products from one production line into raw materials for another
These sustainability efforts open premium markets where environmentally conscious customers pay more for responsibly produced forest products.
Digitising the export process
Swedish forestry exports are undergoing a digital transformation that makes the entire export chain more efficient:
- Blockchain technology for uninterrupted traceability from forest to customer
- AI-driven logistics optimisation reduces transport costs by up to 15%
- Digital customs systems shorten border processing times
New markets and trade patterns
Geographical shifts in demand create new opportunities for Swedish forestry exports:
- Growing Asian markets: China has become Sweden’s largest single pulp market
- Greater focus on MENA: Gulf states are investing in construction requiring high-quality structural timber
- North American recovery: The US housing market drives demand for Swedish wood products
Forestry export challenges and how to overcome them
Regulatory and trade barriers
Swedish exporters face increasingly complex global rules:
- The EU Deforestation Regulation (EU) 2023/1115, known as the EUDR, replaces the EU Timber Regulation from 30 December 2026. It applies to you as an exporter, not only to importers. You must exercise due diligence and submit a statement with geolocation of the plots of harvest before the goods are exported, and register the company in the EU information system. The Swedish Forest Agency is the competent authority in Sweden.
- Phytosanitary requirements vary widely, with especially strict rules in Australia, China and the USA
- Trade barriers include quotas and tariffs in some markets, especially for processed products
Solution: Invest in trade compliance expertise or work with specialist partners such as Tullify to handle complex regulations.
Logistics challenges for forest products
Forest products place particular demands on transport:
- High weight relative to value makes freight costs critical
- Sensitivity to moisture requires specific transport conditions
- Container shortages affect delivery times and freight costs
Solution: Build long-term partnerships with specialist forest-product logistics providers and use consolidation to improve container utilisation.
Exchange-rate fluctuations and price volatility
As global commodities, forest products are affected by:
- Exchange-rate changes, especially between SEK, EUR, USD and CNY
- Seasonal changes in demand across markets
- Global economic cycles affecting construction and timber demand
Solution: Use currency hedging strategies and diversify export markets to reduce dependence on individual regions.
Expert checklist for successful forestry exports
For a smooth export process:
- Use the correct HS classification for your forest products
- Document origin throughout the supply chain
- Verify destination import requirements before transport
- Choose suitable Incoterms for the product and destination
- Certify products to relevant standards, such as FSC and PEFC
- Optimise logistics for the product’s characteristics
- Manage risk through appropriate insurance and currency hedging
The outlook for Swedish forest product exports
Several trends point towards continued growth for Swedish forestry exports:
- Growing timber construction worldwide, driven by climate concerns and new building techniques
- Renewable packaging replacing plastics with paper-based alternatives
- Bio-based materials from forest resources replacing fossil-based alternatives
- Digital solutions for more efficient exports and traceability
With the right strategies and partners, Swedish forestry exporters can maintain and strengthen their global position in the decades ahead.
How Tullify helps forestry exporters
Successful exporting requires a partner who understands both customs rules and the forestry industry’s specific needs. Tullify offers specialist services for forest-product exporters:
- Tailored export advice for forest products
- Accurate customs classification for timber, pulp and paper
- Origin documentation securing preferential duty
- Digital customs solutions integrated with your business systems
- Compliance monitoring of export rule changes
Contact us to improve your forestry exports and help your products reach global markets efficiently and in compliance with the rules.
Conclusion
Swedish forestry exports remain strong in a changing world. Sustainable forestry, innovative product development and efficient export processes keep Swedish forest products in demand worldwide. By managing export challenges and taking new opportunities, the Swedish forestry industry can look ahead with confidence.
The key to successful forestry exports is combining product quality with international trade expertise. Tullify is ready to support your journey from Swedish forest to global market.
Read on
The whole export chain is described on our page about exporting from Sweden.
How an export declaration is corrected or invalidated is covered on our page about the export declaration.
More guides are collected in our customs guides.
