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European Forests Expand Yet competitiveness and Europe's sustainability objectives.

This was a key theme at the Forestry-Timber General
Timber Industry Relies On Assembly organised in Bologna by Filiera Legno, an association
Imports representing nearly 600 companies in the timber industry. The

event brought together institutions, public decision-makers,
According to the 2025–2026 Annual Report of the European forestry sector representatives, businesses, professionals,

Organisation of the Sawmill Industry (EOS), which represents designers, universities and research centres.
approximately 80 percent of European sawn timber production, In 2020, the forestry and timber sector generated over
forests now cover over 232 million hectares across the €113 billion in added value and employed approximately
continent, equivalent to 35.4 percent of Europe's land area. 2.4 million people across forestry, primary processing and
European forests continue to expand. related industries.
Over the past 35 years, forest area has grown by more
than 23 million hectares, with an average annual increase of The Italian paradox
around 665,000 hectares. Europe's forest stock has reached Despite having a continuously growing forest area and being
38.3 billion cubic metres, marking an increase of approximately home to one of Europe's largest forest resources, Italy remains

45 percent compared with 1990. heavily dependent on imports of raw timber.
However, the availability of raw materials for the timber In 2024, approximately 1.47 million cubic metres of
industry remains a significant challenge to both the sector's roundwood were imported, while domestic consumption of sawn

Riekkinen