Demand for timber

Historically, demand for forestry products has risen hand-in-hand with the earth's growing population and there is nothing to indicate that this trend will be broken. On the contrary, growth in Asia is triggering increased building activity, which in turn is generating increased demand for timber.

Timber and wood products represent one of the world's most important trade groups. In 2007, the timber producing countries affiliated to the ITTO* exported approximately 11.7 million m3 logs, at a value of almost
USD 1.5 billion.

Increase in forest felling volume compared with increase in population

Source: Sutton, W.R.J. 1993. "The World's Need for Wood."

*ITTO, (International Tropical Timber Organisation) is an independent organisation promoting the conservation and sustainable management, use and trade of tropical forest resources. Its members represent 80 percent of the world's tropical forests and 90 percent of the global tropical timber trade.