This as a result of a periodical poll of the German Fuelwood and Wood Pellet Association (DEPV) among German producers. The mark of 1.6 Mio. t. means also that Germany stays on top of the European pellet production countries.
Winterly weather conditions at the beginning of the new year had no reducing effects on the nationwide stocking of pellets, informed the DEPV. The domestic consumption rose up to 1.1 Mio. t., a 200,000 t. plus compared to the previous year. 28% of the German pellet production were sold by exports. This rate was at 40% in 2008. For this year the DEPV anticipates a further increase of the domestic consumption up to 1.3 Mio. t. mainly based on the growing number of commercial and municipal heating installations operating with wood pellets.
The percentage of wood pellets made from non-sawable roundwood qualities rose up to 30% in 2009 as an effect of the falling lumber production in German sawmills.
http://www.fordaq.com/fordaq/news/woodpellets_woodpellet_Germany_DEPV_fuelwood_21853.html
In 2009 the German wood pellet production increased slightly up to the mark of 1.6 Mio. t. Compared to 2008 this was an increase of about 100,000 t.