Comparison of removals and deliveries of UK softwood roundwood

The table below provides a comparison between the figures for removals (obtained from Forestry Commission, Natural Resources Wales, Forest Service and Private Sector Removals Survey) and deliveries (obtained from industry surveys and trade associations) of UK softwood roundwood.

The estimated total for softwood removals in the UK in recent years has been at least 0.3 million green tonnes higher than the estimate for total UK softwood deliveries. At least some of this difference may indicate a possible undercounting of deliveries, particularly for roundwood that is used directly for woodfuel.

Comparison of removals and deliveries of UK softwood roundwood, 2008-2017

^{Source: Forestry Commission, Natural Resources Wales, Forest Service, industry surveys, industry associations}

^Notes:

^{1. The difference between reported removals and deliveries can be caused by variations in the level of stocks between harvesting and delivery to the wood processor, and/or by the differences in data sources and methodologies used to compile removals and deliveries statistics.}

The methodology used to estimate the quantity of UK softwood removals from private woodland was revised for the release of provisional 2011 estimates in “UK Wood Production and Trade: 2011 provisional figures”. Details of the change in methodology and its impact on the figures are available in the “Methodology Review of Softwood Removals from Non-FC/FS Woodland” paper, available at www.forestresearch.gov.uk/tools-and-resources/statistics/about-our-statistics/methodology-and-outputs/.

Additional resources

Chapter 2: UK-Grown Timber