Digital media growth triggers a 12% drop in the global wood and paper trade
Posted on December 31, 2024 |
Global exports of wood and paper products fell by 12%, losing $64 billion, totaling $482 billion.
The paper trade struggled due to the rise of digital media, contributing to the overall export decline.
Although exports dropped, 2023 values remained higher than pre-2021 levels, with trade value falling faster than traded quantities.
Global paper and paperboard production decreased by 3%, driven by the ongoing shift to digital media.
Industrial roundwood removals dropped by 4%, totaling 1.92 billion m³, and global trade declined 13% to 100 million m³, the lowest since 2009.
Sawnwood production decreased by 4% to 445 million m³, and international trade in sawnwood shrank by 8%, reaching the lowest level since 2014.
Global wood-based panel production grew by 1%, but trade fell by 7% to 84 million m³, the lowest since 2016.
Wood pulp production fell by 2% to 193 million tonnes, while trade in wood pulp increased by 3%, hitting a record 71 million tonnes.
