Statistics surrounding forestry jobs in North America are incredibly important for various reasons. First, the numbers provide accurate detail regarding the health of an industry. According to the Canadian government, in 2013 the Canadian forest sector contributed $19.8 billion to Canada’s gross domestic product (GDP). Globally, Canada has the largest forest products trade balance. This means that “no nation derives more net benefit from trade in forest products than Canada.”
Three Main Subsectors
There are three main subsectors that comprise this industry. Solid wood products manufacturing, which includes softwood lumber, structural panels, millwork, and engineered products accounts for approximately 44% contribution to the Canadian economy. Pulp and paper products, which include common household items like newsprint and household tissues, comprise about 36%. Forestry and logging account for the remaining 20%.
Where Other Nations Stand
The second largest net trader behind Canada is Sweden, followed by Finland, Brazil, Indonesia, Russia, Chile, Germany, and finally the USA. China and Japan are two nations that import a great deal of lumber from countries that produce it.
United States
According to IBISWorld, in the United States, there are more than 75,000 people working in the forest industry with about 3,000 active private businesses. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are more than 163,000 people working in the wood products manufacturing industries in the United States. State governments also hire forestry workers. California, Washington, Oregon, Wisconsin, and Idaho have the highest employment levels in the country. According to the Department of Energy’s website, the forest products industry generates about 5% of the manufacturing GDP in the United States.
Canada is a leading forestry trader, working arduously to protect our forests and ensure that each year more trees are planted than are harvested. North American forests are sustainably managed to ensure that wood products like pallets and crates do not harm the environment. Nature’s Packaging is committed to North American forest sustainability.
References:
https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes191032.htm#nat
https://forestrydegree.net/forestry-careers-and-employment-statistics/