Wedoany.com Report-Apr. 16, In 2023, Ireland imported wood and paper products valued at €2.5 billion, while exports of these products reached €1 billion, according to data released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) on April 15. The figures highlight the country’s trade dynamics in the forestry and paper sectors.

Imports of secondary paper products amounted to €878 million, making up 35% of the total import value. Secondary wood products contributed €715 million, or 28% of the import total. In terms of volume, imports included 7,000 cubic meters of non-coniferous industrial roundwood, 50,000 cubic meters of wood fuel, and 35,000 cubic meters of non-coniferous sawnwood. Wood fuel encompasses materials such as stems, branches, and other tree parts used for fuel, charcoal, wood pellets, or other agglomerates.

On the export side, veneer sheets and wood-based panels were valued at €338 million, accounting for 33% of the total export value. Secondary paper products contributed €223 million (22%), while coniferous sawnwood exports reached €150 million. Export volumes showed significant growth over time, with coniferous sawnwood exports rising 176% from 212,000 cubic meters in 1995 to 586,000 cubic meters in 2023. Similarly, coniferous industrial roundwood exports increased 122% from 207,000 cubic meters in 1995 to 459,000 cubic meters in 2023.

Niamh Shanahan, a statistician in the CSO’s environment division, noted: “In recent years, export volumes of coniferous industrial roundwood, coniferous sawnwood, veneer sheets, wood-based panels, and recovered paper have exceeded imports of these products. In contrast, import volumes of wood fuel, pulp, paper and paperboard, secondary wood products, and secondary paper products have exceeded export volumes.”

Shanahan further highlighted a shift in Ireland’s forestry sector: “There was a substantial shift from exporting forest logs towards processing the log removals from forests into products such as sawnwood, veneer sheets, and wood-based panels before exporting them.” This trend reflects increased domestic processing to add value before export.

The trade data underscores Ireland’s active role in the global wood and paper market, with a focus on processed products for export while relying on imports for certain raw materials and secondary goods. The growth in export volumes, particularly for coniferous sawnwood and industrial roundwood, indicates a strengthening of Ireland’s forestry industry. Meanwhile, higher import values for secondary products and wood fuel reflect the country’s demand for diverse wood-based materials to support domestic consumption and industrial needs.

These trade patterns demonstrate Ireland’s balanced approach to managing its forestry resources, prioritizing value-added processing for exports while meeting domestic requirements through imports. The CSO’s findings provide insight into the evolving structure of Ireland’s wood and paper trade, emphasizing efficiency and sustainability in the sector.