SCOTLAND MUST act now to increase its commercial forestry sector if it is to become more self-sufficient in the long-run.

The UK currently imports 80% of its annual timber requirement leaving it vulnerable to fluctuations in the global timber market.

Forestry and Land Scotland has suggested that Scotland is well placed to mitigate that risk by stepping up its commercial forestry sector.

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Home-grown grown timber makes up only around 33% of the UK market and while the country is largely self-sufficient in fencing, there is significant, unmet domestic demand for more structural timber and also pallet wood.

FLS head of marketing and sales, Mick Bottomley, said: “Scottish-based timber manufacturers could potentially triple production to meet current and anticipated future demand and produce a greater share of the remaining 67% of the market which is currently imported, predominantly from Scandinavia, Latvia and Germany.

“There is also significant potential to expand Scotland’s one fifth of forested land area so that we can be more self-reliant in our requirements for timber.”

Sawmills in Scotland and the UK produce high quantities of pallet and fencing products but mainly produce construction timber – kiln dried carcassing that is used for roof battens, floor joists and studwork for partitioned walls.

Prices have risen 30% this year as house builders and related industries struggle to secure supplies due to a huge increase in building activity, post lockdown. This has even been noticeable in DIY stores when trying to get timber for home projects.

Mr Bottomley pointed out that the timber market is set to become increasingly competitive in years to come – and with long lead time of 25 to 40 years in productive forestry, he suggested that Scotland should get the ball rolling now.

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“Transport and energy costs will increase; emerging economies around the world will demand more timber and timber producing countries may be required to use more of their own timber at home as they seek to meet stricter climate protocols and net zero targets," he continued.

“Sweden is recording the lowest stock levels in 20 years and this trend is likely to be further exacerbated as current issues like wildfires, tree diseases and pests, exert additional worldwide pressures on the supply of timber.

“The UK can attempt to compete for diminishing supplies on the world market against growing economies such as China and India or do something to mitigate its exposure to these forces, by planting more commercial forestry now so that we are more self-sufficient in the future.”

This year, FLS is planting 25 million trees and is further contributing to meeting the Scottish Government targets by acquiring land for new productive and native woodland creation.