After a sharp contraction in 2023, global international trade in wood and paper products showed clear signs of recovery in 2024, with modest growth recorded across most major product groups, according to the latest Global forest products facts and figures 2024 published by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

The rebound follows a steep 14% overall decline in global trade of wood and paper products in 2023, reflecting improving market conditions and gradual stabilisation in several regions.

Trade value edges higher, remains above pre-2021 levels

Global exports of wood and paper products increased by $7 billion, or 1.4%, to reach $486 billion in 2024. While the growth was modest, export values remained above all levels recorded prior to 2021. Trade in non-wood forest products also expanded, rising to $25 billion and highlighting the broadening economic role of the forest sector.

“Forests support millions of livelihoods worldwide, and 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 product categories

The 2024 results point to a gradual recovery in production across most wood-based product groups. Increases ranged from around 2% for industrial roundwood, wood pellets and wood pulp, to between 4% and 5% for wood-based panels, paper and paperboard.

Industrial roundwood

Industrial roundwood removals – defined as the total volume of wood harvested for uses other than energy – rose by 2% in 2024 to reach 1.96 billion cubic metres. Despite higher production, global trade in industrial roundwood declined by 1% to 96 million cubic metres.

Sawnwood

Global sawnwood production remained broadly unchanged in 2024, although regional developments diverged. Output declined by 2% in North America, remained stable in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region, and increased by 2% in Latin America and the Caribbean. International trade in sawnwood showed no overall change compared with 2023.

Wood-based panels

Wood-based panels continued the recovery that began in 2023, posting a second consecutive year of growth. Global production expanded by 5% to 393 million cubic metres, with increases recorded across all five regions. Trade in panels grew even faster, rising by 6% to 90 million cubic metres.

Wood pulp and recovered paper

Wood pulp production increased by 3% to 189 million tonnes in 2024, while international trade expanded by 2% to a record 73 million tonnes. Much of the additional supply originated in China and South America, particularly Brazil, Chile and Uruguay, underlining the region’s rising competitiveness in pulp markets. Global consumption of recovered paper also edged up by 1% to 243 million tonnes.

Wood pellets

Wood pellets continued to show strong long-term growth, largely driven by bioenergy targets in Europe, the Republic of Korea and Japan. After a slight decline in 2023, global production rebounded to 48 million tonnes in 2024, matching the 2022 level. Nearly two-thirds of output – around 31 million tonnes – entered international trade.

Europe and North America remained the leading producing regions, accounting for 47% and 28% of global output respectively. The Asia-Pacific region continued to gain importance, increasing its share of global production from 14% in 2020 to 22% in 2024. On the consumption side, Europe accounted for 70% of global demand, while the Asia-Pacific region represented 28%.

Signs of stabilisation after a difficult year

Overall, the FAO data indicate that the global forest products sector moved toward stabilisation in 2024 after the significant downturn experienced in the previous year. While growth remained moderate, the recovery across most product groups suggests improving trade dynamics and a more balanced outlook for the sector.