Timber consumption plummets as U.S. economy struggles, recycling surges.
The report provides data on timber production, trade, consumption, and prices in the U.S. from 1965 to 2011. It shows a decrease in both production and consumption of roundwood per person in recent years. Consumption of timber products per person has also been gradually decreasing since 1987. This decline is partly due to increased paper recycling and processing efficiency. The U.S. economic weakness has impacted wood markets, leading to a decrease in production per person. However, there has been an increase in wood energy use in recent years. Overall, the data helps track industry trends and changes in timber consumption over time.