Forestry and timber organisations across the UK are asked to take part in an annual survey programme to collect data about the UK timber industry, which are supported by the Expert Group on Timber and Trade Statistics. The following surveys are run by Forest Research:

• • Private Sector Softwood Removals Survey – an annual survey of a sample of harvesting companies in the UK
  • Sawmill Survey – an annual survey of sawmills in the UK that are believed to use UK-grown logs
  • Survey of Round Fencing Manufacturers – an annual survey of round fencing manufacturers (or mills) in the UK that are believed to consume UK-grown roundwood
  • Survey of Pellet and Briquette Production

Results from the surveys are used to understand the state of the timber industry and the balance between supply and demand. Statistics are made available each year in the following publications:

• • UK Wood Production and Trade (provisional figures) – published in May;
  • Forestry Statistics and Forestry Facts & Figures – both published in September.

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Information for businesses participating in our surveys

Why?

The information from the timber surveys, together with data collected from other sources (e.g. trade associations), is used to produce statistics to monitor the state of the timber industry and the balance between supply and demand. These statistics have a range of uses, including:

• • providing information about the economy;
  • informing policy and programme development, evaluation and monitoring;
  • promoting the benefits of forestry.

In addition, the statistics contribute to international statistics on wood production and trade.

By completing the questionnaire, you will help ensure that these statistics are accurate and of maximum value to the industry and to your business.

When?

The deadline for completing this year’s surveys is Friday 28th February 2025.

How?

Requests for 2024 data are being issued from Monday 20^th January 2025.

To complete a survey, you will need an individual reference number from Forest Research. If you have not yet been contacted by Forest Research about a survey that is relevant to your business and received a reference number, please contact statistics@forestresearch.gov.uk and you will be issued with a number. With your reference number, you can participate in one of the following ways:

• • Online: complete the questionnaire online by simply click on the relevant links below to take part:

1. 1. 1. Private Sector Softwood Removals Survey – a survey for harvesting companies in the UK
      2. Sawmill Survey – a survey for sawmills in the UK that use UK-grown logs and with sawnwood production less than 25,000m3
      3. Large Sawmill Survey – a survey for sawmills in the UK that use UK-grown logs and with sawnwood production of 25,000m3 or more
      4. Round Fencing Manufacturers – a survey for round fencing manufacturers (or mills) in the UK that consume UK-grown roundwood
      5. Pellet and Briquette Production – a survey for pellet and briquette mills in the UK

• • Email: download the relevant survey questionnaire from the Downloads’ section below, complete it, and e-mail it to us at statistics@forestresearch.gov.uk.
  • Post: print the relevant survey questionnaire from the Downloads’ section below, complete it, and post it to us at the following address:

                              Forest Research

                              Official Statistics

                              Northern Research Station

                              Roslin

                              Midlothian

                              EH25 9SY

If you require support with completing a survey, please contact the Official Statistics team in Forest Research by email at statistics@forestresearch.gov.uk or by phone on 0300 067 5238.

All data provided is treated in the strictest confidence and will be aggregated with data from other businesses so that it will not be possible to identify an individual business in any publication or other report. The data will not be used for any purposes other than the production of statistics.

Contact

If you have any queries on the surveys, please contact the Official Statistics team in Forest Research at:

Email: statistics@forestresearch.gov.uk

Telephone: 0300 067 5238

We also welcome any comments on these surveys as it will help us to improve future questionnaires.

Downloads