The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences has released results of a study of the Forest Industry in Florida. The findings show that Florida’s forest industry supports more than 103,000 jobs and generated nearly $29 billion in total economic input.
According to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, “Florida is home to approximately 16.76 million acres of forest land — nearly half of the state’s land area — which supports the manufacture of a wide range of products, including lumber, paper, packaging, and renewable biomass energy. Forestry remains especially important in North Florida, where many communities rely on the industry for jobs and economic stability. In addition to supporting jobs and economic activity across the state, Florida’s forest industry contributes to international trade, with more than $1.79 billion in forest products exported globally in 2023.”
Christa Court, Director of the UF/IFAS Economic Impact Analysis Program said, “This study looks at the full scale and scope of economic activity related to the forest industry, including its support of economic activity in non-forest-related sectors. It gives a clearer picture of how the forest industry is related to the broader state economy, and which counties are more reliant on this industry in terms of their local economies.”
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson said, “Florida’s forest industry is a major economic driver for our state. It supports jobs, strengthens rural communities, and provides sustainable products we all rely on. These findings show why it’s so important that we continue to support and invest in Florida forestry.”
Audio Reporting by Dale Sandlin for Southeast AgNet.