Information on employment in primary wood processing is obtained annually via the sources used to collect data on UK-grown timber (presented in Chapter 2).

There was estimated to be a total of 7.7 thousand full time equivalent staff employed by primary wood processors in the UK in 2018 (Table 7.2), a 2% decrease from the total for 2017.

Over one half (57%) of the total employment in 2018 worked in sawmills and over one quarter (28%) worked in wood-based panel mills.

Table 7.2 Employment in primary wood processing, 2014-2018

^{Source: industry surveys, industry associations.}

^Notes:

^{1. Some businesses operate sawmills and round fencing mills. Employment for such businesses may be recorded under sawmills, round fencing manufacturers or shared between the two categories.}

Additional resources

Sources chapter: Employment and businesses