Ireland exported almost €1.1 billion worth of wood and paper products last year, as new figures underline the scale of the forestry and wood-processing sector.

The latest figures come after County Roscommon recorded the highest level of new forestry planting of any county in Ireland during 2025.

A total of 335 hectares of new forest was established in Roscommon last year, accounting for approximately 13 per cent of all new forestry planted nationally.

New Central Statistics Office figures show that exports of wood and paper products from Ireland were valued at €1.099 billion during the same year.

Wood-based panels and veneer sheets were the largest individual export category, worth €325 million, while coniferous sawnwood exports were valued at €184 million.

Secondary wood products accounted for a further €150 million in exports.

The CSO also recorded a significant increase in the physical volume of timber exported over the longer term.

Ireland exported 674,075 cubic metres of coniferous sawnwood in 2025, more than three times the 212,332 cubic metres exported in 1995.

Exports of coniferous industrial roundwood reached 557,042 cubic metres last year – the highest level recorded in the CSO’s series going back to 1995.

Separate figures published by the CSO last week show that Irish industry purchased 3.8 million cubic metres of roundwood during 2025, an increase of seven per cent on the previous year.

The proportion sourced from privately-owned forests also increased substantially.

Some 42 per cent of roundwood purchased by industry came from privately-owned forests in 2025, compared with 35 per cent the previous year, while the proportion sourced from publicly-owned forests fell from 65 to 58 per cent.

Large sawlog accounted for 42 per cent of roundwood purchases, followed by pulpwood at 24 per cent and small sawlog at 22 per cent.

The volume of roundwood used for biomass reached 340,000 cubic metres.

The figures highlight the growing economic role of forestry at a time when the rate of new planting nationally remains substantially below Government targets.

A total of 2,527 hectares of new forest was established across Ireland in 2025, compared with an annual national target of 8,000 hectares.

Roscommon led the county-by-county figures with 335 hectares, followed by Cork with 276 hectares.

The Climate Change Advisory Council has warned that the national rate of afforestation remains well below the level required and has identified forestry as one potential diversification opportunity for farmers.

Despite the value of exports, Ireland remains a net importer across the broader wood and paper product category.

Imports were valued at €2.53 billion in 2025, compared with exports of €1.1 billion.
  
Source: roscommonpeople.ie