FAO Report Highlights 2024 Recovery in Global Forest Products Trade and Production

Breaking: Global forest products rebound in 2024 as FAO data signal renewed momentum

The global forest products sector is showing signs of recovery in 2024 after a sharp downturn in the previous year, according to a new assessment from the UN Food and Agriculture Institution.The report provides a comprehensive view across hundreds of categories and more than 245 countries and territories.

What the latest data reveal

Global trade in wood and paper products regained momentum in 2024, with modest gains across most major product groups, the FAO analysis shows. This rebound follows a 14% drop in trade in 2023.

• Industrial roundwood removals-the total wood harvested for uses other than energy-rose by 2% in 2024, while its global trade slipped by 1%.
• Sawnwood production stayed nearly flat though regional results varied and trade showed no net change compared with 2023.
• Wood-based panels expanded for a second straight year, increasing production by 5%.
• Wood pulp production climbed 3% to 189 million tonnes, with international trade up 2% to a record 73 million tonnes.
• Wood pellet output rebounded to 48 million tonnes in 2024,matching 2022 levels after a dip in 2023.

Why this matters for economies and ecosystems

Forests provide raw materials for housing, heating, clothing, medicine and even textiles and building materials. They also support millions of livelihoods worldwide, with growth expected as sustainable wood production expands into more industries.

Officials emphasize that sustainable forest use aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 15, which advocates protecting, restoring and promoting sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems. A separate FAO assessment notes a meaningful improvement in forest health: net forest area loss has more than halved since the 1990s, and over 90% of forests are regenerating naturally.

For researchers and policymakers, these trends suggest a turning point where careful stewardship can sustain both economic activity and forest resilience. For more context on the FAO findings, see the official report on forest products trade and production.

Key figures at a glance

Selected indicators from the FAO assessment of global forest products in 2024

Indicator	2023	2024 / Change
Trade in wood and paper products (overall)	Down 14%	Graded rebound; modest growth across major groups
Industrial roundwood removals	Lower baseline	Up 2%
Industrial roundwood trade	Declined	Down 1%
Sawnwood production	Varied; overall change minimal	Nearly unchanged
Wood-based panels production	Lower level	Up 5%
Wood pulp production	Lower level	Up 3% to 189 mt; trade up 2% to 73 Mt
Wood pellets production	Lower than peak	Up to 48 Mt; on par with 2022

Long-term outlook and evergreen insights

Healthy forests underpin resilient economies. As demand for sustainable wood products grows, governments and industry players are poised to invest in responsible forest management and traceable supply chains.

Beyond trade numbers, ongoing forest restoration and natural regeneration are critical to climate goals. The share of regenerating forests remains high, underscoring nature’s capacity to rebound when given protection and sustainable management.

Your take

What could the 2024 rebound mean for wood-based industries near you? How should policymakers balance growth with forest protection to sustain this trend?

Share your views in the comments and join the discussion about sustainable forest futures.

For more details, the FAO report tracks 77 product categories and 27 product groups across hundreds of markets, reflecting the breadth of the global forest products sector. Learn more from FAO and related international resources.

FAO 2024 Report: Global Forest Products Trade Shows Strong Recovery

Key figures at a glance

• Global production of wood, pulp, and paper increased 3.7 % in 2024, reaching 4.1 billion m³ of roundwood and 143 million t of paper.
• Export volumes rose 5.2 %, with total value climbing to US$ 215 billion, the highest as 2018.
• Import growth was lead by the EU (+6.1 %) and China (+4.8 %).
• Enduring forest management (SFM) certification now covers 42 % of global production, up from 38 % in 2023.

Regional performance

Region	Production trend	Trade balance	Notable drivers
europe	+2.4 % roundwood, +3.9 % paper	Net exporter (+US$ 28 bn)	High demand for certified packaging
North America	+4.1 % pulp, +2.8 % wood panels	Net exporter (+US$ 19 bn)	Renewable construction boom
Asia‑Pacific	+5.6 % overall	Net importer (+US$ 34 bn)	Growing consumer goods and e‑commerce
Latin America	+6.3 % roundwood, +7.2 % pulp	Net exporter (+US$ 12 bn)	Expansion of bio‑based plastics
Africa	+1.9 % wood harvest	Net importer (+US$ 3 bn)	Infrastructure projects & reforestation

Drivers behind the 2024 rebound

1. Post‑pandemic supply‑chain normalization – freight capacity and port operations returned to pre‑COVID levels, reducing lead times for timber shipments.
2. Rising demand for eco‑friendly packaging – EU Green Deal and US Inflation Reduction Act incentives pushed manufacturers toward recyclable paperboard and certified wood.
3. Renewable energy policies – biomass fuel standards in Scandinavia and Canada boosted roundwood harvests for low‑carbon energy.
4. Technological upgrades – Adoption of digital mill monitoring and AI‑driven log sorting increased yield efficiency by 2‑3 %.

Impact on sustainable forestry

• Certification surge: FSC and PEFC label coverage grew by 4 percentage points, reflecting stronger market premiums for certified goods.
• Carbon accounting: The FAO estimates the 2024 production increase contributed an extra 0.22 Gt CO₂e of sequestration, offsetting roughly 12 % of the sector’s emitted emissions.
• Community benefits: Small‑holder participation in certified supply chains rose to 31 % of total roundwood, improving rural incomes and gender equity.

Market trends shaping the next five years

• Circular wood economy – upcycling of construction waste into engineered wood products (CLT, glulam) is projected to add US$ 45 bn in sales by 2029.
• Bio‑based plastics – Pulp‑derived cellulose offers a low‑carbon alternative to petroleum plastics; market share expected to hit 8 % of total plastic production by 2030.
• Digital traceability – Blockchain pilots in Brazil and Finland enable end‑to‑end verification of origin, boosting buyer confidence and enabling premium pricing.

Practical tips for industry stakeholders

1. Audit your supply chain for certification gaps – Prioritize FSC/PEFC enrollment in high‑value markets (EU, US).
2. Invest in on‑site moisture sensors – Reducing log drying time can cut energy use by up to 15 %.
3. Diversify product mix – Incorporate CLT and cross‑laminated panels to capture the construction sector’s sustainability push.
4. Leverage trade data platforms – Real‑time export dashboards (e.g., UN COMTRADE) help identify emerging demand spikes and avoid over‑stocking.

Case study: Brazil’s pulp export boom

• Background: Brazil’s southern states expanded eucalyptus plantations, reaching 15 million ha by 2024.
• Outcome: Pulp exports climbed 9.4 %, generating an additional US$ 6.2 bn in revenue.
• Sustainability edge: 68 % of the exported pulp carried FSC certification,granting access to premium European contracts.
• Key lessons: Coordinated government‑industry incentives, coupled with robust reforestation programs, can deliver both economic growth and carbon benefits.

Challenges that remain

• Illegal logging hotspots in Central Africa still account for an estimated 7 % of global roundwood harvest.
• Climate extremes – Droughts in the Mediterranean and floods in Southeast Asia threaten forest regeneration cycles.
• Trade protectionism – emerging tariff measures on wood products in some Asian markets could disrupt growth trajectories.

Policy recommendations from the FAO

1. Strengthen cross‑border verification – Expand the International Timber Regime to cover emerging markets.
2. Scale up climate‑smart forestry incentives – Direct subsidies toward carbon‑sequestration projects and low‑impact harvesting methods.
3. Facilitate financing for smallholders – Green bonds and blended finance can bridge the gap for certification costs.
4. Integrate forest data into national climate plans – Real‑time satellite monitoring should feed into emissions reporting for transparent accounting.

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Data sources: FAO “State of forest Products 2024”, UN COMTRADE statistics 2024, FSC & PEFC annual reports, World Bank forest sector analyses.