Latest Forestry Statistics for 2018 released – the woodfuel perspective

The latest forestry statistics have just been released by the Forestry Commission. The key points from a woodfuel perspective in the latest releases are:

• The woodland area in the United Kingdom in 2018 is 3.17 million hectares.
• 38 million hectares (43%) are independently certified as sustainably managed.
• 9,000 hectares of new woodland were created in the UK in 2017-18.
• 2 million green tonnes of UK roundwood (softwood and hardwood) were delivered to primary wood processors and others in 2017
• A total of 1.6 million green tonnes of UK softwood (stemwood) was used for woodfuel (16% of total). This was up from 1.55 million green tonnes in 2016.
• A total of 600,000 green tonnes of UK hardwood (stemwood) was used for woodfuel (81% of total). This was up from 400,000 green tonnes in 2016.
• Recycled wood used for woodfuel is 1.66 million tonnes up from 1.55 in 2016. This includes post-consumer recovered wood, comprising wood originally grown in the UK and wood originally grown in forests outside the UK. Quantities are as delivered, with an assumed average moisture content of 25%. To convert to green tonnes (assuming moisture content of 52%), multiply by 1.56.
• Woodfuel supply from sawmills is 701,000 green tonnes up from 661,000 in 2016. This comprises 85% bioenergy sales, 1.6% as firewood sales and 13.7 used internally for heat/ energy.
• Woodfuel supply from round fencing manufacturers is 66,000 green tonnes up from 65,000 in 2016.
• Wood pellet production is at 287,000 tonnes down from 329,000 in 2016 and a high of 354,000 in 2014.
• Wood products imported into the UK in 2017 were valued at £7.8 billion and included 6.9 million tonnes of wood pellets.

To read the full report and download spreadsheets see this link: https://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/tools-and-resources/statistics/forestry-statistics/