Apparent consumption (defined as production + imports – exports) of wood products around the world totalled 481 million m³ sawnwood, 398 million m³ wood-based panels and 413 million tonnes of paper and paperboard in 2017 (Table 9.6).

Two fifths (40%) of all sawnwood in 2017 was consumed in Asia and around one quarter each in North & Central America (26%) and in Europe (24%).  Reflecting the increased production of sawnwood (see Table 9.5), apparent consumption of sawnwood increased by 8% overall between 2015 and 2017. This was driven by increases in apparent consumption in most regions.

Asia consumed around three fifths (59%) of the world’s wood-based panels in 2017, around one fifth (20%) was consumed in Europe and 15% in North & Central America.  Apparent consumption of wood-based panels worldwide increased by 4% between 2015 and 2017, largely resulting from increased demand in Europe.

One half (50%) of all paper and paperboard in 2017 was consumed in Asia, around one fifth (22%) in Europe and a further one fifth (21%) in North & Central America. At a global level, apparent consumption of paper and paperboard increased by 3% between 2015 and 2017.

Table 9.6 Apparent consumption of wood products by region, 1990-2017

^{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