Introduction

Data on other deliveries comprise the following:

• shavings – mainly obtained from shavings manufacturers;
• woodfuel – private sector softwood removals survey, woodfuel suppliers and Expert Group on Timber & Trade Statistics estimates;
• hardwood round fencing – Expert Group on Timber & Trade Statistics estimates;
• other miscellaneous products – Expert Group on Timber & Trade Statistics estimates and
• exports of roundwood and chips – companies believed to export roundwood and/or chips, Forest Service (for exports from Northern Ireland) and HM Revenue and Customs.

Statistics reported for each year are available at a UK level only.

Data collected

The data collected on shavings, woodfuel and other miscellaneous products cover the quantity of roundwood only.

Data collected on exports includes the following categories; industrial roundwood (excluding sawlogs), sawlogs and chips.  

Methodology

For shavings, data are collected from the main companies known to produce shavings.  In addition, a small estimate is made to cover other shavings manufacturers.

There are currently no reliable sources for data on hardwood round fencing and other miscellaneous products.  As a result, estimates (that are rarely changed) are made by the Expert Group on Timber & Trade Statistics to attempt to take account of these other uses of UK roundwood. 

The estimate for hardwood used for woodfuel was revised in 2017 to reflect a perceived increase in woodfuel, but this should not be interpreted as an increase in a single year.  A further increase in 2018 reflects a rise that is believed to have occurred during the year.

For exports, data are requested from companies believed to have exported roundwood or chips in the last year. Forest Service provides data on behalf of companies exporting from Northern Ireland.  If required, a small estimate is made for any non respondents or to cover other companies that may have exported roundwood during the year.  Exports of hardwood roundwood are estimated from the overseas trade statistics produced by HM Revenue and Customs.

Revisions

Figures for deliveries of softwood for woodfuel may be revised whenever revisions are made to the Private Sector Softwood Removals Survey.

The statistics on other deliveries are not normally revised after publication.  On occasion, an estimate may be revised in a subsequent publication, to take account of expert advice on perceived changes in the market for roundwood.

The quality report on UK Wood Production and Trade provides further information, including details of significant revisions to published statistics and is available at UKWPT – Quality Report.

Figures for 2018 are final; provisional figures were previously released in "UK Wood Production and Trade: 2018 provisional figures".  Since the publication of provisional figures for 2018, the estimate of UK hardwood deliveries used for woodfuel has been revised upwards by 100 thousand green tonnes. 

Information on revisions made since "Forestry Statistics 2018" are provided in "UK Wood Production and Trade: 2018 provisional figures".

Release schedule

Provisional figures for 2019 will be released on 14 May 2020 in "UK Wood Production and Trade: 2019 provisional figures".

Final figures for 2019 will be released on 24 September 2020 in "Forestry Statistics 2020" and "Forestry Facts & Figures 2020".

Additional resources

Chapter 2: UK-Grown Timber