Forest exports top €333m in 2008

EXPORTS of forest products last year were worth more than €333 million to the economy, an increase of over 14% in value on the previous year, according to figures released by COFORD, the national council for forest research and development.

COFORD chairman, Michael Lynn, said this strong export performance was in the face of stiff competition in Britain and other markets. “Continued investment in innovation and marketing along the entire product chain, allied to realistic raw material prices, will be needed to maintain and grow these markets,” he said.

Figures released by COFORD show that a record three million cubic metres of round wood was harvested from Irish forests in 2007. This wood supplied the sawmilling, wood-based panel sector and energy sectors.