1. Use of Wood Fibre Balance

2. History and Background
2008 Workshop on National Wood Resources Balance (
A number of studies, in particular in Germany
Increasing discussions in Team of Specialists meeting and encouragement to apply in routine validation of JFSQ
December 2017 ECE/FAO workshop on Wood Resources and Product balances which looked at FRA and JFSQ balances over

3. Sources of Information
The source for data on the wood fibre balance is the ECE/FAO TIMBER database. These are the same figures as shown in FAOSTAT.
The data are mostly provided through the Joint Forest Sector Questionnaire. Other figures come from official and unofficial sources, including secretariat estimates. These estimates (and repeated data) are marked in yellow on the country data sheets in the balance.

4. Balance tool Features of the wood fibre balance Uses official data
Tries to keep it simple
Ignores energy wood both in supply and demand
Uses solid wood equivalent
Assumptions are made explicit and can be modified directly by user

5. Using tool in JFSQ (1)
Has been used informally in data validation of JFSQ, not provided to correspondents
Since 2012 by ECE, now shared with other IWG partners
Compares two years which is rather «tight»
Only occasional feedback, designed more to inform about tool than highlight problem
No requests to adjust data based on results

6. Using tool in JFSQ (2)

7. Workshop Balance tool – basic structure

8. Workshop Balance tool – assumptions and conversion factors

9. Workshop summary of results (1)
Summary of overall balance (million m3)

10. Workshop summary of results (2)

11. Workshop summary of results (3)

12. Average of results

13. Results from workshop discussion (1)
Overall view is the balance is useful and helps correspondents.
More time is needed to absorb the balance and why there are differences.
A better explanation of solid-wood equivalent vs round-wood equivalent is needed.
No publication of results needed, increase communication with correspondents

14. Results from workshop discussion (2)
Endorsed use of tool in reviewing JFSQ data. Most participants liked simplicity of solid-wood equivalent. Some preferred round-wood equivalent. This would be a different model.
Appreciate “total” approach of balance. Some problems with a “non-standardized” structure.
Trade in chips, sourced from fuelwood, exported for energy, are being counted against industrial roundwood and causes gaps in balance.
Enable assumptions to change over years when we are showing a lengthy period.
See report of meeting for more conclusions

15. Thank you! Alex McCusker Forestry and Timber Section
UNECE/FAO
21 February 2018, Luxembourg