Cubic Metres of Roundwood from Responsibly Managed Forests
CURRENT TOTAL
Live Counter Notable Facts
(Data shown in the table is for 2025. Counter shows current estimate)
Global Production
FSC Certified
Industrial Roundwood
Understanding Cubic Metres of Roundwood from Responsibly Managed Forests
This counter tracks the volume of roundwood (logs) harvested from responsibly managed forests certified under sustainability standards like FSC (Forest Stewardship Council). Global roundwood production reached a record 4 billion cubic meters annually, with approximately half used for industrial purposes.
Sustainably managed forests follow strict environmental, social, and economic standards, ensuring biodiversity protection, workers' rights, and community benefits while providing renewable wood products. FSC alone certifies over 200 million hectares of forests across 89 countries.
The demand for certified sustainable wood is growing as industries recognize that responsibly sourced timber can help achieve climate goals. Wood from well-managed forests stores carbon, substitutes for fossil-fuel intensive materials, and supports the transition to a circular bioeconomy.
Sustainable Forest Management Overview
- Industrial roundwood production reached 2.04 billion cubic meters in 2022, a record high, with increasing portions coming from certified sustainable sources as market demand for responsible forestry grows globally.
- FSC certification, recognized by 46% of consumers worldwide, ensures forests are managed to maintain biodiversity, respect Indigenous rights, provide fair wages, and regenerate harvested areas, covering everything from timber to paper products.
- Plantation forests, while covering only 3% of global forest area, provide 35% of industrial roundwood, demonstrating how intensive sustainable management can reduce pressure on natural forests while meeting wood demand.
- The bioeconomy potential of sustainable wood is enormous - projections show demand could increase 37% by 2050 as wood increasingly substitutes for concrete, steel, and plastics in construction and manufacturing.
Sustainable Forestry Terms
- Roundwood: Unprocessed wood in its natural state after felling
- FSC Certification: Forest management verified against 10 sustainability principles
- Industrial Roundwood: Wood used for sawnwood, panels, and pulp production
- Chain of Custody: Tracking certified material through the supply chain
Global Wood Production Breakdown
- Total roundwood: 4 billion m³ annually
- Industrial use: 2.04 billion m³ (51%)
- Fuelwood: 1.96 billion m³ (49%)
- Sawnwood production: 493 million m³
- Wood-based panels: 408 million m³
Top Producing Countries (2023)
- United States: 462 million m³
- China: 341 million m³
- India: 335 million m³
- Brazil: 262 million m³
- Canada: 150+ million m³
Certification Growth Trends
- FSC certified area: 200+ million hectares
- PEFC certified: 320 million hectares
- Products with FSC label: Millions globally
- Annual growth rate: 3-5% for certified area
- Premium for certified wood: 5-15% typically
Data Sources and References
Methodology and Data Collection
Roundwood production data comes from FAO forest products statistics, compiled from national reporting and industry surveys, tracking volumes of wood harvested for industrial use versus fuel across all countries.
Sustainable management volumes are estimated based on certified forest areas and average productivity, with FSC and PEFC certification data providing benchmarks for responsibly managed forest production globally.