The Forest Products Annual Market Review 2021-2022 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. While 2021 was still marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, which changed the way we work and live together and led to a rediscovery of our forests and green spaces, 2021 was also the year when the world started to recover from the pandemic’s effects. Economies bounced back – in many cases even stronger than expected – and jump-started demand for all kinds of products, including those derived from wood. 2021 was also a very good year for the forest-based industries, with high demand for semi-finished and finished wood products for building, fashion, furniture and packaging. This lasted only until mid–2022, when the global market situation worsened rapidly, leading to widespread and enormous effects on many sectors and areas in the wake of the war in Ukraine. Energy security, in light of sky-rocketing natural gas and electricity prices in almost all ECE countries, became one of the hottest topics by mid-2022. Many consumers, particularly in Eastern Europe and the western Balkans, did not hesitate to turn to traditional firewood for heating and cooking. Forests therefore witnessed three highly differentiated demands in 2021 and the first half of 2022: recreation, wood products and wood energy. Thanks to the multi-functional management of the forests, the same sustainably managed forests of the UNECE region that we visit for recreation also provide us with sustainable products or affordable and available sources of energy. Forests in the UNECE are well equipped to face the new challenges. Indeed, our sustainably managed forests of today are the result of centuries of wise tree management from their beginnings as small seedlings – like the white fir seedling on the cover of this publication. This image symbolizes not only the positive attitude of the forest sector towards an uncertain future, but also the many opportunities still to explore to satisfy the multiple demands. This multifunctionality of forests in the UNECE region is its strength and the strength of its entire forest sector. The Forest Products Annual Market Review plays an important part in monitoring and analysing the impact of changing trends on our forests. It highlights how the forest sector reacts to new realities and new demands for the benefit of people and the planet.
