Global forest products 2016: facts and figures
Global production of major wood products surged in 2016 for the seventh consecutive year with a growth rate of three to six percent, according to new data published by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. The fastest increase in major wood products (industrial roundwood, sawnwood, wood-based panels, wood pellets) occurred in Asia-Pacific, Northern America and Europe driven by positive economic growth, new manufacturing capacities in Eastern Europe, particularly for particleboard and Oriented Strand Board (OSB), as well as growing demand for bioenergy. Globally, production of all major products gradually recovered in 2010-2016 from the economic crisis of 2008-2009. In 2016, the growth pace in the wood sector doubled compared to the previous year, and this positive trend is likely to continue through 2017-2018 due to global economic development and higher demand for renewable energy.