Wood production slows in Europe and grows rapidly in North America

Increased demand for bioenergy drives surge in wood pellet fuel production

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2013 rome, 18 December-according to a FAO report published today latest data europe's share of the global timber market declined in 2012 as a result of the region's economic downturn, while North America and the Asia-Pacific region showed the fastest recovery over the same period.

The economic recovery in Europe, including the Russian Federation, slowed in 2012, with production of most wood and paper products falling by 1 to 4 per cent compared to 2011. These trends are the result of economic stagnation or recession in some Western and Southern European countries in 2012. As a result, the demand for forest products has shrunk, and the global market share of all types of forest products in Europe has decreased by an average of 1-2% compared with 2011.

North America and Asia Pacific markets are growing stronger

in the recovery from the 2011 recession, North American industrial log and sawn timber production increased sharply (6%) in 2012, while wood-based panel production increased by 2% compared to 2011, mainly due to the recovery of the housing market. At the same time, pulp and paper production has continued to decline, reflecting the shift from print to electronic media in recent years.

The importance of the Asia-Pacific region as a producer and consumer of forest products continues to grow, with China being the most prominent. Compared with 2011, the production of sawn timber in this area increased by 11%, and the production of wood-based panels increased by 6%.

Sawdust pellet fuel production surges

wood pellet fuel production has increased 10-fold in the past decade, mainly due to increased demand due to policies and bioenergy targets set in Europe.

According to FAO's first-ever wood pellet data, global wood pellet fuel production reached 19 million tons in 2012, of which about half (9.3 million tons) was traded internationally, compared to 2 million tons a decade ago. Europe and North America account for almost all of the world's wood pellet fuel production (66% and 31%, respectively) and consumption (80% and 17%, respectively).

"Overall, the global market for wood products is recovering, but the pace of recovery varies around the world," said Eduardo Rojas-Briales, Assistant Director-General for Forestry. "There are positive signs that demand for wood products, especially those used in the bioenergy sector, will continue to increase in the coming years. However, the extent and success of this market recovery will ultimately depend on the health of the overall economy."

http://www.fao.org/news/story/zh/item/211132/icode/

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