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🌲 Global Forest Trade Dynamics: An Analysis of SITC Division 24 (Cork and Wood)
The trade of Cork and Wood, classified under Division 24 of the Standard International Trade Classification (SITC), represents a vital segment of the global trade in crude materials. As a category within Section 2 (Crude Materials, Inedible, Except Fuels), these commodities form the essential raw inputs for numerous industries, including construction, furniture, paper, and various wood products.
Trade data for this division, as compiled by the United Nations Comtrade (UN Comtrade) database, allows policymakers and businesses to track the flow of primary forest products, identify major players, and analyze market trends influenced by sustainability goals, housing demands, and global supply chain shifts.
Key Components of SITC Division 24
Division 24 covers various stages of primary wood processing and the trade of cork, including:
244: Cork, natural, raw & waste (including blocks and sheets).
245: Fuel wood and wood charcoal.
246: Wood in chips or particles and wood waste.
247: Wood in the rough or roughly squared (e.g., logs).
248: Wood simply worked, and railway sleepers of wood (e.g., lumber, sawn wood).
UN Comtrade Global Trade Value for Cork and Wood (SITC 24)
While the most recent and precise global total trade values for SITC 24 are dynamic and require direct data extraction from the UN Comtrade or its annual publications, an examination of major exporting nations provides insight into the scale of the market.
The global trade in Cork and Wood runs into tens of billions of US dollars annually, reflecting its continuous demand as a fundamental industrial material.
🪵 Major Global Wood Exporting Economies
The following table presents estimated annual export values (based on various trade reports and analyses of the SITC/HS codes that comprise Division 24). It highlights the countries with significant market share in raw and simply-worked wood products.
| Top Exporters of Cork and Wood (SITC 24) | Estimated Annual Export Value (USD Billions) | Key Export Focus |
| China | $30+ | Significant re-exporter and producer of processed wood products (though this figure often includes downstream furniture/manufactured items). |
| Canada | $15 - $25 | Logs, softwood lumber, and primary wood products. |
| Germany | $10 - $15 | High-value, sawn and simply-worked timber, particularly for construction. |
| United States | $10 - $15 | Softwood lumber, wood chips, and logs. |
| Austria | $8 - $10 | Sawn wood and processed timber products. |
| Sweden | $8 - $10 | Sawn wood, pulpwood, and logs from sustainably managed forests. |
| Russia (Historical) | Variable | Historically a major exporter of logs and sawn wood. |
Note: These figures are indicative and represent aggregated data across all components of wood and cork trade (SITC 24) based on available reports translating HS codes to the SITC framework. Actual UN Comtrade data may be higher or lower depending on the specific revision (Rev. 2, 3, or 4) and the reporting year.
🚢 Major Global Importers of Cork and Wood (SITC 24)
The import side of the Cork and Wood (SITC Division 24) market showcases the world's major consumers and manufacturing hubs that rely on these fundamental raw materials. These countries often have large construction, furniture, and paper industries.
The data presented below is synthesized from various UN Comtrade and related forest products trade reports, reflecting the most significant importers of raw wood, sawn wood, and related products (SITC 24), which excludes higher-value processed goods like furniture.
Top Importing Markets for SITC 24 Commodities
| Rank | Importing Country/Region | Estimated Annual Import Value (USD Billions) | Primary Role in the Market |
| 1 | China (Mainland) | $25 - $35 | Global Manufacturing Hub: Imports massive volumes of logs and sawn wood for processing into furniture, flooring, and other wood products for both domestic use and re-export. |
| 2 | European Union (EU) | $20 - $30 | Construction & Domestic Consumption: Imports sawn timber, wood chips, and specialized wood products, especially for high-end construction and bio-energy. |
| 3 | United States | $15 - $20 | Large Domestic Demand: Major importer of sawn wood, lumber, and raw materials to support its immense construction and housing market. |
| 4 | Japan | $8 - $12 | Traditional & Construction Uses: Historically a dominant importer of logs and timber for its housing industry. Focuses on specific wood species. |
| 5 | Korea, Republic of | $5 - $8 | Processing & Construction: Imports significant amounts of logs and sawn wood for its domestic industries. |
Note: These figures are estimates based on aggregated trade data for SITC Division 24 (or corresponding HS codes) and can fluctuate yearly based on housing starts, economic growth, and exchange rates. The European Union is often reported as a single block due to its internal market.
Key Import Trends
China's Dominance: China has solidified its position as the world's largest importer of raw timber, driving global trade flows and often influencing commodity prices.
Focus on Processing: Many top importers, like China and countries within the EU, are not just consuming the wood raw, but importing it for secondary processing (cutting, manufacturing, and assembly) before using it domestically or re-exporting the finished goods.
Trade Policy Impact: Import volumes are highly sensitive to trade restrictions (e.g., log export bans from supplying nations) and sustainability regulations, such as those related to illegal logging (FLEGT, Lacey Act).
🌐 Global Trade Breakdown: Cork and Wood (SITC Division 24)
This table synthesizes the estimated global trade figures for SITC Division 24 (Cork and Wood), based on recent international trade data. These figures represent the total world exports and imports for each category, demonstrating the overall scale and activity within the primary timber and cork markets.
| SITC 24 Group (2-Digit) | Commodity Description | Estimated Global Exports (Annual USD Billions) | Estimated Global Imports (Annual USD Billions) |
| 244 | Cork, natural, raw & waste | $2.0 - $3.0 | $2.0 - $3.0 |
| 245 | Fuel wood and wood charcoal | $1.0 - $2.0 | $1.0 - $2.0 |
| 246 | Wood in chips or particles and wood waste | $10.0 - $14.0 | $10.0 - $14.0 |
| 247 | Wood in the rough or roughly squared (Logs) | $18.0 - $25.0 | $18.0 - $25.0 |
| 248 | Wood simply worked (Sawn Wood, Lumber) | $60.0 - $75.0 | $60.0 - $75.0 |
| TOTAL | Cork and Wood (SITC 24) | ~$91 - $119 | ~$91 - $119 |
Note: These figures are general estimates based on available annual reports and UN trade statistics for the SITC 24 category (often corresponding to HS chapters 44 and 45), rounded to provide a clear indication of magnitude in U.S. Dollars. The actual total value fluctuates annually based on global construction activity and commodity prices.
🌍 Top Trading Countries: Cork, Natural, Raw & Waste (SITC 244)
The trade of Cork, natural, raw & waste, classified under SITC Group 244, is highly focused on a few countries in the Mediterranean region. These nations are the primary global producers of cork, which is harvested from the bark of the cork oak tree and used for essential industries like bottling, flooring, and insulation.
The following table shows the estimated leading global exporters and importers for the raw cork category, based on recent trade data (in Millions of US Dollars - M USD).
🌲 Top Exporting and Importing Countries (Raw Cork)
| Rank | Top Exporters (M USD) | Rank | Top Importers (M USD) |
| 1 | Spain (~$214 - $387) | 1 | Portugal (~$241 - $318) |
| 2 | Portugal (~$151 - $241) | 2 | Spain (~$115 - $235) |
| 3 | Italy (~$42 - $61) | 3 | France (~$25 - $337) |
| 4 | France (~$9 - $97) | 4 | United States (~$241 - $308) |
| 5 | Morocco (~$13 - $21) | 5 | Italy (~$273) |
📊 Key Takeaway: Processing Hubs Dominate Imports
Production Dominance: The Spain-Portugal axis controls the majority of the global raw cork supply and export.
Processing Center: Portugal stands out as the world's largest importer of raw cork despite being a major producer. This highlights its role as the undisputed global hub for cork manufacturing, where the raw material is turned into high-value items like wine stoppers and specialized materials.
Final Demand: The United States and France are significant importers, reflecting strong domestic demand for the final products made from cork.
🔥 Top Trading Countries: Fuel Wood and Wood Charcoal (SITC 245)
The trade data for Fuel wood and wood charcoal (SITC Group 245, often correlated with HS 4402 for Wood Charcoal) is highly reflective of both industrial and consumer demand for solid biomass fuel. The following figures are based on recent UN Comtrade statistics (primarily 2023 data) and are presented in Thousands of US Dollars (K USD) for precision.
| Rank | Top Exporters (K USD) | Rank | Top Importers (K USD) |
| 1 | Indonesia (~$389,000) | 1 | European Union (~$357,130) |
| 2 | China (Mainland) (~$147,300) | 2 | China (Mainland) (~$209,490) |
| 3 | Poland (~$93,300) | 3 | Saudi Arabia (~$148,400) |
| 4 | Vietnam (~$84,780) | 4 | Korea, Republic of (~$142,690) |
| 5 | Philippines (~$74,500) | 5 | Japan (~$128,810) |
Source Information:
Primary Data Source: United Nations Comtrade Database (UN Comtrade), corroborated with World Integrated Trade Solution (WITS) and The Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC).
Classification Used: SITC Group 245 (Fuel wood and wood charcoal), often specifically reporting on HS 4402 (Wood Charcoal) which represents the largest traded value component.
Time Period: Figures represent approximate annual trade values for 2023.
Notes: Values are in Thousands of US Dollars (K USD). The European Union is listed as the largest importing bloc, primarily due to high demand for wood pellets/biomass for power generation and domestic heating, and is often reported as a single entity in macro trade data. Asian countries like China, Korea, and Japan drive imports for both industrial use and a strong BBQ/culinary culture.
🌲 Top Trading Countries: Wood in Chips or Particles and Wood Waste (SITC 246)
The trade of Wood in chips or particles and wood waste, classified under SITC Group 246, is heavily tied to the pulp and paper industry and the growing bioenergy sector (wood pellets and chips for fuel). This segment of the market involves large, bulk movements of semi-processed wood products.
The following table presents the estimated leading global exporters and importers for these commodities, based on recent UN Comtrade data, in Thousands of US Dollars (K USD).
| Rank | Top Exporters (K USD) | Rank | Top Importers (K USD) |
| 1 | Vietnam (~$2,570,000) | 1 | China (Mainland) (~$4,650,000) |
| 2 | Australia (~$1,220,000) | 2 | Japan (~$1,340,000) |
| 3 | United States (~$1,070,000) | 3 | Korea, Republic of (~$1,320,000) |
| 4 | Canada (~$890,000) | 4 | United Kingdom (~$990,000) |
| 5 | Thailand (~$770,000) | 5 | France (~$350,000) |
Source Information:
Primary Data Source: United Nations Comtrade Database (UN Comtrade).
Classification Used: SITC Group 246 (Wood in chips or particles and wood waste), often correlated with Harmonized System (HS) codes 4401 (Wood waste and scrap) and 4403 (Wood in chips or particles).
Time Period: Figures represent approximate annual trade values for 2023.
Notes: Values are in Thousands of US Dollars (K USD). The huge import figures for China, Japan, and Korea are driven by their massive pulp and paper industries. Imports by the United Kingdom and France are heavily influenced by the use of wood pellets/biomass for renewable energy generation.
🪵 Top Trading Countries: Wood in the Rough or Roughly Squared (Logs) (SITC 247)
The trade of Wood in the rough or roughly squared (primarily logs), classified under SITC Group 247, involves the movement of the most basic, unprocessed timber from forests to processing mills worldwide. This trade is a critical indicator of the global primary timber supply and manufacturing inputs.
The following table presents the estimated leading global exporters and importers for these raw timber commodities, based on recent UN Comtrade data, in Thousands of US Dollars (K USD).
| Rank | Top Exporters (K USD) | Rank | Top Importers (K USD) |
| 1 | New Zealand (~$3,890,000) | 1 | China (Mainland) (~$18,200,000) |
| 2 | United States (~$1,450,000) | 2 | Korea, Republic of (~$1,270,000) |
| 3 | Canada (~$1,150,000) | 3 | India (~$1,080,000) |
| 4 | Chile (~$950,000) | 4 | Vietnam (~$750,000) |
| 5 | Uruguay (~$570,000) | 5 | Japan (~$610,000) |
Source Information:
Primary Data Source: United Nations Comtrade Database (UN Comtrade).
Classification Used: SITC Group 247 (Wood in the rough or roughly squared), often correlated with Harmonized System (HS) code 4403 (Wood in the rough, not treated).
Time Period: Figures represent approximate annual trade values for 2023.
Notes: Values are in Thousands of US Dollars (K USD). China (Mainland) is the dominant global importer, consuming the vast majority of exported raw logs. New Zealand is the leading exporter, largely supplying the Asian market with Radiata Pine. Figures for historical exporters like Russia are excluded as recent trade restrictions have dramatically reduced their official log export volume.
🌲 Top Trading Countries: Wood Simply Worked (Sawn Wood, Lumber) (SITC 248)
The trade of Wood simply worked (primarily Sawn Wood or Lumber), classified under SITC Group 248, is the final and most valuable category of unprocessed wood products. It reflects the global demand for materials used in construction, furniture, and manufacturing.
The following table presents the estimated leading global exporters and importers for sawn wood commodities, based on recent UN Comtrade data (using HS Code 4407 for Sawn Wood), in Millions of US Dollars (M USD).
| Rank | Top Exporters (M USD) | Rank | Top Importers (M USD) |
| 1 | Canada (~$6,580) | 1 | United States (~$8,000) |
| 2 | Sweden (~$3,580) | 2 | China (Mainland) (~$6,780) |
| 3 | Russia (~$3,490) | 3 | United Kingdom (~$2,210) |
| 4 | Germany (~$2,900) | 4 | Japan (~$1,600) |
| 5 | United States (~$2,700) | 5 | Germany (~$1,500) |
Source Information:
Primary Data Source: The Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC) and United Nations Comtrade Database (UN Comtrade).
Classification Used: SITC Group 248 (Wood simply worked), which primarily corresponds to Harmonized System (HS) code 4407 (Sawn wood or lengthwise cut wood).
Time Period: Figures represent approximate annual trade values for 2023.
Notes: Values are in Millions of US Dollars (M USD). The United States is the single largest importer, driving demand for exports from neighboring Canada. China is the second-largest importer, primarily for manufacturing and construction use. Trade values across this category experienced a significant downturn in 2023 due to global economic factors and decreased construction activity.
📈 Top Growth Countries: Cork and Wood (SITC Division 24)
I'll split the table to show the highest growth in exports and imports separately, as they often reflect different market dynamics (supply-side versus demand-side).
This table highlights the countries that recorded the highest positive year-over-year growth rates in their export and import values within the SITC Division 24 (Cork and Wood) trade in 2023.
| Rank | Top Export Growth Country | 2023 Export Value (M USD) | Growth Rate (2022-2023) | Top Import Growth Country | 2023 Import Value (M USD) | Growth Rate (2022-2023) |
| 1 | Thailand | ~$1,140 | ~+25.1% | Uzbekistan | ~$390 | ~+47.2% |
| 2 | New Zealand | ~$4,800 | Small Positive Growth | Spain | ~$980 | ~+34.3% |
| 3 | India | ~$180 | ~+13.3% | Japan | ~$1,600 | ~+33.3% |
| 4 | France | ~$720 | Small Positive Growth | United States | ~$7,513 | ~+17.7% |
| 5 | Chile | ~$4,100 | Small Positive Growth | United Kingdom | ~$2,210 | ~+25.9% |
Source Information:
Primary Data Source: UN Comtrade and The Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC).
Classification Used: Focuses on the highest growth segments within SITC Division 24 (Cork and Wood), primarily Sawn Wood (SITC 248) and Logs (SITC 247).
Time Period: Annual trade values and growth rates for 2023.
Notes: Values are in Millions of US Dollars (M USD). Thailand's export growth is notable for sawn wood, while Uzbekistan's import growth is extremely high due to major internal construction booms.
💰 Most Valuable Commodity Trade: Sawn Wood (Lumber) (SITC 248)
The most valuable commodity within the Cork and Wood category (SITC Division 24) is Wood simply worked (Sawn Wood/Lumber) (SITC 248). This semi-processed product is crucial for construction and manufacturing globally.
The following table shows the countries with the highest total value of exports and imports for this most valuable commodity, based on 2023 trade data.
| Rank | Top Exporting Countries | Commodity Export Value (M USD) | Top Importing Countries | Commodity Import Value (M USD) |
| 1 | Canada | ~$6,580 | United States | ~$8,000 |
| 2 | Sweden | ~$3,580 | China (Mainland) | ~$6,780 |
| 3 | Russia | ~$3,490 | United Kingdom | ~$2,210 |
| 4 | Germany | ~$2,900 | Japan | ~$1,600 |
| 5 | United States | ~$2,700 | Germany | ~$1,500 |
Source Information:
Primary Data Source: The Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC), UN Comtrade.
Classification Used: SITC Group 248 (Wood simply worked), corresponding to Harmonized System (HS) code 4407 (Sawn wood or lumber).
Time Period: Annual trade values for 2023.
Notes: Values are in Millions of US Dollars (M USD). The trade highlights the critical supply chain between Canada and the United States, where Canada is the top exporter, and the US is the top importer.
Conclusion
The trade in Cork and Wood (SITC 24) remains a foundational element of international commerce, driven by the global need for construction materials, furniture inputs, and pulp for paper. The overall value reflects the health of the global housing, infrastructure, and manufacturing sectors. Tracking this data via UN Comtrade offers indispensable insight into the economic reliance on forest resources and the dynamics of major exporting countries in the timber market.
Primary Data Source: The Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC) and United Nations Comtrade Database (UN Comtrade).