According to new data published by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, Global production of major wood products surged in 2016 for the seventh consecutive year with a growth rate of three to six percent
The fastest increase in major wood products such as industrial roundwood, sawnwood, wood-based panels, wood pellets, occurred in Asia-Pacific, Northern America and Europe.
“In 2016, the growth pace in the wood sector doubled compared to the previous year, and this positive trend is likely to continue through 2017-2018 due to global economic development and higher demand for renewable energy,” says Mats Nordberg, FAO Senior Forestry Officer.
Nordberg while expatiating further on the reasons for the surge said it was triggered by economic growth, new manufacturing capacities and increase demand for biofuel.
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According to statistics, Russia is leading Canada and Germany as the world’s third-largest producer and consumer of wood-based panels after China and the USA. However, the report showed that China registered the sharpest surge of 42 percent in the production of wood-based panels between 2012 and 2016.
Global production of particleboard and OSB wood panels commonly used in furniture manufacturing and construction saw the fastest growth among all wood product categories.
The particleboard production growth rate soared from 0.3 percent in 2015 to 8 percent in 2016, whereas the global production of OSB wood panels grew by 10 percent last year compared to a 7 percent increase in 2015.
Based on FAO’s report,  production of wood pellets increased by six percent to reach 29 million tonnes in recent years to meet biofuel targets set by the European Union. Europe and North America are said to have accounted for almost half of the global consumption by 81 and 8 percent respectively.
Amongst various major wood products, A rapid growth in wood-based panel production plays a role in the reduction of carbon emissions in the atmosphere.
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