THE UK is back as the world's second-largest net importer of timber. 

A total of $14.1 billion worth of forest products was brought into the country during 2023, with only China ahead of it in terms of net imports during that time. Around £2.8 bn was exported by British firms. 

It means the UK (which ranked third last year) once again imported more timber as a net value than the likes of Japan (now third), USA (which fell from second to fourth), and Italy (fifth). 

These statistics are confirmed in Forest Research's latest Forestry Facts and Figures document, which has just been published for 2024.

Other facts revealed in the research include: 

  • There are now 3.28 million hectares of woodland in the UK (as of March 2024)
  • Woodland area in the UK is increasing and now represents 14.8 per cent of total land area
  • 20,660 hectares of new woodland were created in the UK in 2023/24 (compared to 12,960 in 22/23)
  • There was a 59 per cent increase in new planting and 28 per cent increase in restocking in the UK in 2023/24
  • 57 per cent of the softwood produced in 2023 came from private sector forests
  • Around 21,000 full-time equivalent staff were employed by the forestry sector in the UK in 2022 (compared to 20,000 in 2021)

Import levels will be of particular concern to many in forestry, given 81 per cent of the UK's wood comes from abroad.  

For the full facts and figures, visit Forest Research's website. A free hardcopy is also available to order.