The latest figures, compiled by Forest Research, indicate that 13.46 thousand hectares of new woodland were created in the UK during the 2025/26 period. Timber deliveries to primary wood processors remained stable, with 10.4 million green tonnes of UK roundwood processed in 2025, unchanged from the previous year.
Wood product imports in 2025 were valued at £9.1 billion, encompassing significant volumes of sawnwood, wood-based panels, wood pellets, and pulp and paper. The UK remains a major net importer of forest products, ranking third globally in 2024 with net imports of US $8.1 billion.
Public engagement with forests is high, with over two-thirds (70%) of respondents to the UK Public Opinion of Forestry Survey 2025 having visited forests or woodlands in recent years. Of these visitors, 32% reported an increase in their visit frequency over the past 12 months.
Employment in forestry averaged 24 thousand in 2023, according to the Business Register and Employment Survey. The Gross Value Added (GVA) for primary wood processing was £2.43 billion in 2024, while GVA in forestry itself stood at £0.97 billion.
