Global forest products trade & production show signs of recovery in 2024 | FAO News

Rome, Italy – After a sharp decline in 2023, the global forest products sector saw signs of stabilization in 2024, according to Global forest products facts & figures 2024 , released today by the Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).  

The report highlights that global international trade in wood & paper products has regained momentum, with modest growth recorded across most major product groups.

The upswing comes after a 14 percent drop overall in trade of wood & paper products in 2023.

Global exports of wood & paper products increased only slightly by $7 billion, or 1.4 percent, to reach $486 billion in 2024 – but still surpassing all levels recorded before 2021. Exports of non-wood forest products also grew to reach $25 billion, underscoring the forest sector’s broadening economic importance.

“Forests support millions of livelihoods worldwide, & the number is set to rise as forests offer more economic opportunities in a growing range of industries, including sustainable wood production,” said FAO Director-General QU Dongyu. 

Production increases across most wood-based product categories

The 2024 results reflect gradual market recovery in several regions, supported by increased production in most major product groups. Gains ranged from 2 percent for industrial roundwood, wood pellets & wood pulp, to between 4 & 5 percent for wood-based panels, paper & paperboard.

Industrial roundwood removals – Industrial roundwood removals – the total volume of wood harvested for uses other than energy – rose by 2 percent to 1.96 billion cubic metres in 2024, although its global trade declined by 1 percent to 96 million cubic metres.

Sawnwood – While global sawnwood production remained nearly unchanged, the picture varied regionally. Output fell by 2 percent in North America but remained stable in Europe & the Asia-Pacific, while climbing 2 percent in Latin America & the Caribbean. Trade in sawnwood recorded no overall change compared to 2023.

Wood-based panels – Wood-based panels continued to build on the recovery seen in 2023, growing for a second consecutive year. Global production expanded by 5 percent to 393 million cubic metres, with increases reported in all five regions. Trade in panels rose even faster, up 6 percent to 90 million cubic metres.

Wood pulp & recovered paper – Wood pulp production climbed 3 percent to reach 189 million tonnes, while international trade expanded 2 percent to an all-time high of 73 million tonnes. Much of the additional supply originated in China & South America – particularly Brazil, Chile & Uruguay – reflecting the region’s growing competitiveness in pulp. Global consumption of recovered paper also edged up by 1 percent to 243 million tonnes worldwide.

Wood pellets – Wood pellets have seen extraordinary growth in recent decades, mainly driven by bioenergy targets in Europe, the Republic of Korea & Japan. After a slight dip in 2023, global production returned to 48 million tonnes in 2024, equal to the 2022 level, & almost two-thirds – 31 million tonnes – entered global trade. Europe & North America remained the main producing regions, accounting for 47 percent & 28 percent of global output respectively, though the Asia-Pacific region increased its share from 14 percent in 2020 to 22 percent in 2024.  When it came to consumption, Europe accounted for 70 percent, while the Asia-Pacific region accounted for 28 percent.