GITNUXREPORT 2025

Timber Industry Statistics

Global timber industry exceeds $600 billion, driven by Asia-Pacific, construction growth.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The global demand for engineered wood products is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4% from 2023 to 2030

Statistic 2

About 70% of the world’s harvested timber is used for construction and housing applications

Statistic 3

The U.S. housing starts increased by 8% in 2022, boosting demand for timber and lumber

Statistic 4

The demand for bamboo as an alternative timber source is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6% through 2030

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The global demand for recycled timber is growing at a rate of 6% annually, driven by sustainability goals

Statistic 6

The U.S. home improvement market saw a 10% increase in DIY projects involving timber in 2022

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The global demand for sustainable timber is expected to grow by over 7% annually through 2027, driven by environmental policies

Statistic 8

The average lifespan of engineered wood products is approximately 30-50 years, depending on usage and maintenance

Statistic 9

The use of timber in mass timber construction can reduce building energy consumption by up to 25%

Statistic 10

The amount of timber used for packaging purposes in Europe increased annually by about 3%, due to e-commerce growth

Statistic 11

The use of genetically improved trees has increased forest productivity by approximately 15% in plantation forests

Statistic 12

The global demand for decorative wood products, including carvings and specialty furniture, is growing at a rate of 5% per year

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The global timber industry was valued at approximately $600 billion in 2022

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The global plywood market size was valued at $65 billion in 2021

Statistic 15

The U.S. furniture industry, heavily reliant on timber, contributed approximately $115 billion to the economy in 2022

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Forest plantations produce around 60% of the world's industrial roundwood

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The UK timber market was valued at approximately $10 billion in 2021

Statistic 18

The timber industry is responsible for employing over 30 million people globally

Statistic 19

Certified forest area globally increased by 60% between 2005 and 2022

Statistic 20

The global OSB (oriented strand board) market size was valued at $14 billion in 2020

Statistic 21

The forest products industry contributes approximately 1% to the global GDP

Statistic 22

The global softwood lumber market is projected to reach $120 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 4.8%

Statistic 23

The global biomass energy sector, which uses timber residues, is valued at over $50 billion

Statistic 24

The worldwide demand for wood packaging is expected to grow annually by 3.5% through 2025

Statistic 25

Approximately 40% of timber harvested globally is used for pulp and paper production

Statistic 26

The global market for wood-based panels (including MDF and particleboard) was valued at $70 billion in 2021

Statistic 27

The global customized timber packaging market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.2% through 2026

Statistic 28

The total global production of wood flooring was valued at $25 billion in 2021

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The global engineered wood market is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 5.5% from 2023 to 2030, reaching $40 billion

Statistic 30

Canada has over 347 million acres of forest land, supporting a robust timber industry

Statistic 31

The global market for timber preservation chemicals is projected to reach $1.2 billion by 2025

Statistic 32

Forest certification programs like FSC and PEFC cover over 350 million hectares worldwide, ensuring sustainable timber sourcing

Statistic 33

Demand for cross-laminated timber (CLT) is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7% through 2028, reaching a market size of $4 billion

Statistic 34

The global wood adhesives market is projected to reach $2 billion by 2026, supporting engineered wood product manufacturing

Statistic 35

Approximately 60% of the wood used in U.S. residential construction is softwood, mainly pine, spruce, and fir

Statistic 36

The total volume of roundwood harvested annually worldwide exceeds 1.9 billion cubic meters

Statistic 37

The average annual growth rate of the global timber market is approximately 3.5%, reflecting steady demand

Statistic 38

Timber is the primary material used in approximately 20% of new residential construction projects in North America

Statistic 39

The global market for wooden furniture is expected to reach $450 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 4.8%

Statistic 40

The sustainable forest management practices have resulted in over 400 million hectares of sustainably managed forests globally

Statistic 41

The world’s largest timber processing plant is located in Germany, processing over 8 million cubic meters annually

Statistic 42

Timber's share in renewable energy production reached approximately 12% globally in 2022, mainly through biomass energy

Statistic 43

The average lifespan of a typical wooden house is approximately 75-100 years

Statistic 44

The average timber prices increased by 12% globally from 2021 to 2022

Statistic 45

The average yield of timber per hectare in sustainable plantations is about 25 m³

Statistic 46

The average global price for softwood timber increased by 10% in 2022 compared to 2021

Statistic 47

The Asia-Pacific region accounted for over 50% of the world's timber production in 2021

Statistic 48

China led global timber consumption in 2022, representing about 25% of the world's total

Statistic 49

In 2022, about 70% of US timber harvest was from public lands

Statistic 50

The Chinese wooden furniture market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 5.2% from 2023 to 2030

Statistic 51

The average carbon sequestration capacity of forests in North America is estimated at 2.3 metric tons of CO₂ per hectare annually

Statistic 52

The European timber frame houses market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3% from 2023 to 2028

Statistic 53

The average timber harvest per hectare in tropical forests is approximately 15 m³, which is lower than in boreal zones

Statistic 54

The share of the global timber market held by Asian countries is approximately 65%, mainly driven by China and Southeast Asia

Statistic 55

The forestry sector is responsible for approximately 1.2% of global employment, equating to about 350 million jobs

Statistic 56

The United States imported about 12 million cubic meters of softwood lumber in 2022

Statistic 57

Canada is the largest exporter of softwood lumber to the U.S., accounting for roughly 30% of imports

Statistic 58

The European Union's timber trade deficit was roughly €10 billion in 2022

Statistic 59

Approximately 85% of the world's wood imports in 2022 came from sustainable sources

Statistic 60

Russia is the world's largest timber exporter, accounting for around 20% of the global trade in 2022

Statistic 61

The U.S. exports roughly 3.5 million metric tons of wood pellets annually, mainly for energy use

Statistic 62

The global trade of tropical hardwoods saw a decline of about 15% from 2019 to 2022 due to sustainability concerns

Statistic 63

Poland's timber export value increased by 20% in 2022 compared to the previous year

Statistic 64

Approximately 25% of all timber harvested globally is destined for export markets

Statistic 65

China’s furniture exports, many of which use timber, accounted for about $70 billion in 2022, representing an increase of 12% from the previous year

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Key Highlights

The global timber industry was valued at approximately $600 billion in 2022
The Asia-Pacific region accounted for over 50% of the world's timber production in 2021
The United States imported about 12 million cubic meters of softwood lumber in 2022
Canada is the largest exporter of softwood lumber to the U.S., accounting for roughly 30% of imports
The global plywood market size was valued at $65 billion in 2021
China led global timber consumption in 2022, representing about 25% of the world's total
The U.S. furniture industry, heavily reliant on timber, contributed approximately $115 billion to the economy in 2022
The global demand for engineered wood products is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4% from 2023 to 2030
Forest plantations produce around 60% of the world's industrial roundwood
The UK timber market was valued at approximately $10 billion in 2021
About 70% of the world’s harvested timber is used for construction and housing applications
The European Union's timber trade deficit was roughly €10 billion in 2022
The timber industry is responsible for employing over 30 million people globally

The global timber industry, a $600 billion powerhouse supporting everything from construction and furniture to renewable energy, is experiencing dynamic growth driven by sustainability efforts, technological advances, and increasing demand across Asia-Pacific, North America, and Europe.

Industry Innovations and Demand Drivers

The global demand for engineered wood products is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4% from 2023 to 2030
About 70% of the world’s harvested timber is used for construction and housing applications
The U.S. housing starts increased by 8% in 2022, boosting demand for timber and lumber
The demand for bamboo as an alternative timber source is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6% through 2030
The global demand for recycled timber is growing at a rate of 6% annually, driven by sustainability goals
The U.S. home improvement market saw a 10% increase in DIY projects involving timber in 2022
The global demand for sustainable timber is expected to grow by over 7% annually through 2027, driven by environmental policies
The average lifespan of engineered wood products is approximately 30-50 years, depending on usage and maintenance
The use of timber in mass timber construction can reduce building energy consumption by up to 25%
The amount of timber used for packaging purposes in Europe increased annually by about 3%, due to e-commerce growth
The use of genetically improved trees has increased forest productivity by approximately 15% in plantation forests
The global demand for decorative wood products, including carvings and specialty furniture, is growing at a rate of 5% per year

Industry Innovations and Demand Drivers Interpretation

As the timber industry smoothly branches into sustainable, innovative, and recycled sources at a CAGR of around 4-7%, it seems that in the race toward greener homes and greener forests, demand is rising faster than a freshly cut tree—especially as Americans get more hands-on with DIY projects and e-commerce keeps shipping out timber for packaging—all signaling that our love for wood isn’t just rooted in tradition but steering toward a more eco-friendly, engineered future.

Market Size and Valuation

The global timber industry was valued at approximately $600 billion in 2022
The global plywood market size was valued at $65 billion in 2021
The U.S. furniture industry, heavily reliant on timber, contributed approximately $115 billion to the economy in 2022
Forest plantations produce around 60% of the world's industrial roundwood
The UK timber market was valued at approximately $10 billion in 2021
The timber industry is responsible for employing over 30 million people globally
Certified forest area globally increased by 60% between 2005 and 2022
The global OSB (oriented strand board) market size was valued at $14 billion in 2020
The forest products industry contributes approximately 1% to the global GDP
The global softwood lumber market is projected to reach $120 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 4.8%
The global biomass energy sector, which uses timber residues, is valued at over $50 billion
The worldwide demand for wood packaging is expected to grow annually by 3.5% through 2025
Approximately 40% of timber harvested globally is used for pulp and paper production
The global market for wood-based panels (including MDF and particleboard) was valued at $70 billion in 2021
The global customized timber packaging market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.2% through 2026
The total global production of wood flooring was valued at $25 billion in 2021
The global engineered wood market is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 5.5% from 2023 to 2030, reaching $40 billion
Canada has over 347 million acres of forest land, supporting a robust timber industry
The global market for timber preservation chemicals is projected to reach $1.2 billion by 2025
Forest certification programs like FSC and PEFC cover over 350 million hectares worldwide, ensuring sustainable timber sourcing
Demand for cross-laminated timber (CLT) is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7% through 2028, reaching a market size of $4 billion
The global wood adhesives market is projected to reach $2 billion by 2026, supporting engineered wood product manufacturing
Approximately 60% of the wood used in U.S. residential construction is softwood, mainly pine, spruce, and fir
The total volume of roundwood harvested annually worldwide exceeds 1.9 billion cubic meters
The average annual growth rate of the global timber market is approximately 3.5%, reflecting steady demand
Timber is the primary material used in approximately 20% of new residential construction projects in North America
The global market for wooden furniture is expected to reach $450 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 4.8%
The sustainable forest management practices have resulted in over 400 million hectares of sustainably managed forests globally
The world’s largest timber processing plant is located in Germany, processing over 8 million cubic meters annually
Timber's share in renewable energy production reached approximately 12% globally in 2022, mainly through biomass energy

Market Size and Valuation Interpretation

With a global valuation surpassing $600 billion and steady growth fueled by sustainable practices and innovative products, the timber industry proves that if you build on solid roots, you can foster a forest of economic resilience and ecological balance.

Pricing and Cost Trends

The average lifespan of a typical wooden house is approximately 75-100 years
The average timber prices increased by 12% globally from 2021 to 2022
The average yield of timber per hectare in sustainable plantations is about 25 m³
The average global price for softwood timber increased by 10% in 2022 compared to 2021

Pricing and Cost Trends Interpretation

Despite a century-long lifespan and sustainable yields, the timber industry is grappling with a 12- and 10-percent price hike from 2021 to 2022, revealing that even enduring wood must now bear the weight of rising global costs.

Regional and National Markets

The Asia-Pacific region accounted for over 50% of the world's timber production in 2021
China led global timber consumption in 2022, representing about 25% of the world's total
In 2022, about 70% of US timber harvest was from public lands
The Chinese wooden furniture market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 5.2% from 2023 to 2030
The average carbon sequestration capacity of forests in North America is estimated at 2.3 metric tons of CO₂ per hectare annually
The European timber frame houses market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3% from 2023 to 2028
The average timber harvest per hectare in tropical forests is approximately 15 m³, which is lower than in boreal zones
The share of the global timber market held by Asian countries is approximately 65%, mainly driven by China and Southeast Asia
The forestry sector is responsible for approximately 1.2% of global employment, equating to about 350 million jobs

Regional and National Markets Interpretation

With Asia-Pacific dominating over half of global timber production and China leading both consumption and market growth, while North American forests sequester substantial CO₂, Europe's evolving timber frame market, and the sector's vast employment footprint, the global timber industry is balancing ecological responsibilities with economic growth—a high-stakes logs-and-ladders balancing act.

Trade and Import-Export Data

The United States imported about 12 million cubic meters of softwood lumber in 2022
Canada is the largest exporter of softwood lumber to the U.S., accounting for roughly 30% of imports
The European Union's timber trade deficit was roughly €10 billion in 2022
Approximately 85% of the world's wood imports in 2022 came from sustainable sources
Russia is the world's largest timber exporter, accounting for around 20% of the global trade in 2022
The U.S. exports roughly 3.5 million metric tons of wood pellets annually, mainly for energy use
The global trade of tropical hardwoods saw a decline of about 15% from 2019 to 2022 due to sustainability concerns
Poland's timber export value increased by 20% in 2022 compared to the previous year
Approximately 25% of all timber harvested globally is destined for export markets
China’s furniture exports, many of which use timber, accounted for about $70 billion in 2022, representing an increase of 12% from the previous year

Trade and Import-Export Data Interpretation

As the U.S. heavily relies on Canadian softwood and international trade grapples with sustainability and geopolitical shifts, the timber industry underscores that while wood may be seen as a renewable resource, its global marketplace is clearly shaping up as a complex balancing act with eco-credentials, economic interests, and strategic trade policies all vying for prominence.