The Forest Products Annual Market Review 2020-2021 provides a comprehensive analysis of markets in the UNECE region and reports on the main market influences beyond the region. It covers products from the forest to the end user and from roundwood and primary processed products to value-added, housing and wood energy. Statistics-based chapters analyse the markets for wood raw materials, sawnwood, wood-based panels, paper, paperboard and woodpulp. Underlying the analysis is a comprehensive collection of data. The Review highlights the role of sustainable forest products in international markets, discusses policies concerning forests and forest products, assesses the main trends and drivers, and analyses the effects of the current economic situation on forest product markets. The COVID-19 pandemic brought great uncertainty to forest product markets in the UNECE region in 2020, and both production and consumption were subject to rapid and extreme fluctuations. By the end of the year, however, there had been only a slight overall contraction in the sector, which turned out to be an above-average performer compared with other economic segments. This good news for forest products has continued into 2021. Another encouraging development in 2020 was the opportunity for people to gain a greater appreciation of forests and their diverse roles and benefits. With widespread lockdowns in the UNECE region and the temporary closure of many urban facilities, people spent much more time than usual in their nearby forests and woodlands. For many, experiencing nature and rediscovering forests and their possibilities has been one of the most positive effects of the pandemic. Forests are both a source of well-being and a provider of livelihoods, and the forest sector continues to sustainably manage and harvest its resource across the UNECE region. Most forestry operations in the region strike a daily balance between economic, social and environmental demands to ensure maximum benefits for society and minimum impacts on forest ecosystems. Thus, the UNECE region is the world leader – by far – in the area of forests certified as sustainably managed. Pandemic-related lockdown measures meant that people spent less money on travel and leisure activities and therefore had more money at their disposal. Many took the opportunity for do-it-yourself remodelling and repairs in their homes, including home offices, and the construction sector also performed strongly. Demand for wood products, therefore, recovered quickly after the first quarter of 2020, particularly for sawnwood and structural panels, and increasingly exceeded supply.
