Global Demand for Timber Has Increased Since The Economic Downturn

Global demand for timber has increased since the economic downturn, a new study has shown. Figures compiled by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) have indicated that consumption of forestry products in Europe, former Soviet CIS countries and North America grew by 5.6 per cent in 2010. The organisation also revealed in its Forest Products Annual Market Review that growth has been seen in the first half of 2011 too. Europe accounted for the lion's share of the increase, with timber purchases up by 6.6 per cent last year. One of the main reasons for this improvement, UNECE chiefs said, was the upturn in the small house building sector. Another key area to boost the timber trade was the growing clamour for biomass, as pellet production was up by a third in 2010 compared to the preceding year. Last month, representatives at the Forestry Research Associates said the emergence of wood-fuel plants would lead to demand for timber outstripping supply in the future. This news item is brought to you by KMS Baltics in conjunction with Fest-Forest and EST KINNISVARA. Baltic forestry and property specialists Source: kms.ee