Apparent consumption (defined as production + imports – exports) of wood products around the world totalled 449 million m³ sawnwood, 395 million m³ wood-based panels and 403 million tonnes of paper and paperboard in 2015 (Table 9.6).

Almost two fifths (38%) of all sawnwood in 2015 was consumed in Asia and around one quarter each in Europe (24%) and in North & Central America (26%). Reflecting the increased production of sawnwood in recent years (see Table 9.5), apparent consumption of sawnwood increased by 21% overall between 2010 and 2015. This was driven by a 47% increase in apparent consumption in Asia; there was a 3% decrease in Europe over the same period.

Asia consumed around three fifths (61%) of the world’s wood-based panels in 2015, around one fifth (19%) was consumed in Europe and 14% in North & Central America. Apparent consumption of wood-based panels worldwide increased by 38% between 2010 and 2015, largely resulting from increased demand in Asia.

Around one half (49%) of all paper and paperboard in 2015 was consumed in Asia, around one quarter (23%) in Europe and a further one fifth (21%) in North & Central America. At a global level, apparent consumption of paper and paperboard increased by 3% between 2010 and 2015.

Table 9.6 Apparent consumption of wood products by region, 1990-2015

^{Source: FAO.}

^Notes:

^{1. Cyprus is included in EU-28 total but is part of FAO’s Asia region.}

^{These figures are outside the scope of National Statistics}