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Global production of wood products in 2016 totalled 467 million m3 of sawnwood, 415 million m3 of wood-based panels and 409 million tonnes of paper & paperboard (Table 9.5).

Europe produced around one third (33%) of all sawnwood in 2016 (mainly in EU countries), with around one quarter (28%) produced in North & Central America and a further quarter (28%) in Asia.  Overall, sawnwood production increased by 3% between 2015 and 2016, driven by increases in most regions.

Wood-based panels were more commonly produced in Asia, accounting for around three fifths (62%) of global production in 2016.  Around one fifth (20%) were produced in Europe (mainly EU countries) and 12% in North & Central America.  At a global level, wood-based panel production increased by 4% between 2015 and 2016, mainly driven by a 5% increase in Asia.

Asia also accounted for almost one half (47%) of paper and paperboard production in 2016, with around one quarter (25%) in Europe and a further 22% in North & Central America.  Overall, paper and paperboard production in 2016 was similar to the level in 2015.

Table 9.5 Production of wood products by region, 1990-2016

Region 1990 2000 2010 2015 2016
Sawnwood (million m3)
Europe
UK 2 3 3 3 4
EU-281 82 101 101 105 108
Total Europe 149 129 139 150 156
Africa 8 8 9 10 10
Asia 105 61 86 124 129
North and Central America 129 146 102 127 132
Oceania 6 8 9 9 10
South America 22 32 30 31 30
World 419 385 376 452 467
Wood-based panels (million m3)
Europe
UK 2 3 3 3 3
EU-281 36 53 58 60 63
Total Europe 48 61 73 81 85
Africa 2 2 2 3 3
Asia 27 49 149 244 256
North and Central America 44 62 44 48 49
Oceania 2 3 4 4 4
South America 4 9 17 18 18
World 126 186 288 398 415
Paper & paperboard (million tonnes)
Europe
UK 5 7 4 4 4
EU-281 63 90 95 92 91
Total Europe 74 100 106 104 104
Africa 3 4 4 4 4
Asia 57 95 170 191 193
North and Central America 92 111 94 89 88
Oceania 3 4 4 4 4
South America 8 11 15 16 16
World 235 325 393 407 409

Source: FAO. 

Notes:

1. Cyprus is included in EU-28 total but is part of FAO’s Asia region.

These figures are outside the scope of National Statistics.  For further information see the Sources chapter.

Additional resources

Sources chapter: International Forestry

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