Apparent consumption (defined as production + imports – exports) of wood products around the world totalled 459 million m³ sawnwood, 407 million m³ wood-based panels and 406 million tonnes of paper and paperboard in 2016 (Table 9.6).

Almost two fifths (38%) of all sawnwood in 2016 was consumed in Asia and around one quarter each in Europe (24%) and in North & Central America (27%).  Reflecting the increased production of sawnwood (see Table 9.5), apparent consumption of sawnwood increased by 3% overall between 2015 and 2016. This was driven by increases in apparent consumption in most regions.

Asia consumed around three fifths (62%) of the world’s wood-based panels in 2016, around one fifth (19%) was consumed in Europe and 14% in North & Central America.  Apparent consumption of wood-based panels worldwide increased by 4% between 2015 and 2016, largely resulting from increased demand in Asia and (to a lesser extent) Europe.

Around one half (49%) of all paper and paperboard in 2016 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 1% between 2015 and 2016.

Table 9.6 Apparent consumption of wood products by region, 1990-2016

^{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.  For further information see the Sources chapter.

Additional resources

Sources chapter: International Forestry