Portugal recorded, in 2023, the highest forest growth, at 11.1%, in the European Union (EU), this being measured as the net increase relative to the initial stock of wood, Eurostat announced today.
Among the member states, after Portugal’s 11%, the largest forest growths were recorded in Denmark (7.6%) and Ireland (6.8%).
According to data from the EU’s statistical office, at the other end of the scale are Malta, which registered no growth, Cyprus (1.6%), Estonia and Bulgaria (both 1.8%).
Forest growth refers to the biological growth of trees and is the volume of wood that naturally grows in the forest, which increases through photosynthesis and trunk development during the year, subtracting only natural losses (trees that die of old age, disease or fires, but remain in the forest).
Portugal’s high figure indicates that the forests are producing a lot of new biomass and points to a preference for fast-growing species, such as eucalyptus and maritime pine.
