4.3 Trade

4.3 Trade

In 2022, Ireland exported 1,545,544 tonnes of forestry and wood-based products. These exports were valued at €784 million and went to over 50 countries worldwide. This represented a 13% increase in value on the previous year, while volume increased by 4%.

The United Kingdom is the largest destination for Irish exports by far, at €618 million or 1.3 million tonnes. It accounted for 79% of exports by value and 82% by volume for forestry and wood-based products. While the volume of these exports to the UK decreased by 3% on the previous year, export value increased by 10%. Apart from the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany and United States were key destinations for Irish Forestry and wood-based products.

Figure 4.4: Top Destinations for Irish Forestry and Wood-based Products by value in 2022.

n United Kingdom 79%

n Netherlands 6%

n Belgium 3%

n France 2%

n Germany 2%

n United States 1%

n Other 7%

Source: CSO Trade Statistics

Medium density fibreboard (MDF) accounted for 34% in value of forestry and wood-based product exports in 2022 and was worth €268 million, accounting for close to 235,000 tonnes. The United Kingdom was the most valuable destination for exports of MDF in 2022 at €199 million, an increase of 23% on the previous year. Wood of coniferous species had the second greatest export value with €195 million being exported in 2022, an increase of 4% on the previous year. The United Kingdom imported 95% of this total, accounting for 349,000 tonnes of the product.