The latest forestry data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) reveals that the total value of roundwood removals in 2023 amounted to €214 million. This figure reflects a 16% decrease from the €253 million recorded in 2022 and a 6% drop from the €227 million in 2021. The data also shows that there were 4.25 million cubic metres of roundwood removals in 2023, marking a 1.5% increase from 4.19 million cubic metres in 2022, but a 2% decline from the 4.33 million cubic metres in 2021.
According to Niamh Shanahan, a statistician in the environment division of the CSO, removals from privately-owned forests in 2023 totaled 1.8 million cubic metres. Shanahan noted that removals from privately-owned forests decreased by 1% compared to 2022, while removals from publicly-owned forests saw a 3% increase, reaching 2.4 million cubic metres. Coniferous roundwood dominated the removals, accounting for 99% of the total volume in 2023. Shanahan highlighted that removals from publicly-owned forests constituted 58% of the 2023 roundwood removals volume, with the remaining 42% sourced from privately-owned forests.
Shanahan further emphasized that large sawlog was the primary contributor to the roundwood removals volume in 2023, representing 38% of the total, followed by pulpwood at 27% and small sawlog at 25%. In comparison, large sawlog accounted for 38% of roundwood removals in 2022, with pulpwood at 27% and small sawlog at 26%. These three products collectively contributed to around 90% of the annual roundwood removals volume.
Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has issued a total of 718 licences for felling on private plantations and 686 permits for felling on Coillte sites thus far in 2023. Last week alone, 34 licences were issued for Coillte felling and 16 for private felling. Additionally, 14 licences were granted for forestry roads last week, bringing the total number of licences issued by September 6 to 628, covering a total of 238km of roads. The department reported that 50km of forestry roads have been constructed this year.
