A wealth of data
Probos is the data authority on forest and timber-related statistics. Reliable statistics and market data on forest and wood are of great importance for policy, research and forest management. Collecting, processing, analysing and communicating statistics has been Probos' core activity for decades.
In the Data provisioning, the focus is on the following topics:
Forest inventories
The Netherlands has two leading forest inventories: the Dutch Forest Inventory (NFI) and the SyHI ('System for forest mensuration'), also known as Woodstock. The purpose of both inventories is to outline the forest’s state of play. In doing so, the focus has traditionally been on timber stock and harvest, but the measurements are gradually being extended to include forest structure and development. This provides the opportunity to investigate a wide range of topics, such as carbon sequestration and biodiversity.
The Probos Foundation is closely involved in both inventories. For instance, Probos is responsible for managing the data and, together with its partners, Probos provides the development of measurement methods, data analyses and reports. In addition, based on SyHI data, Probos periodically carries out timber harvest forecasts on behalf of the State Forest Service (Dutch: Staatsbosbeheer).
National data provision
Stichting Probos collects annual data on the Dutch timber market, in terms of both production and trade of wood products. These data are derived from CBS trade statistics and surveys addressed to the wood processing industry. For example, Probos has been conducting the annual roundwood survey directed at roundwood processors such as sawmills and producers of poles since 1988. In addition, Probos corrects the annual CBS trade statistics of wood products based on accumulated market knowledge and international databases. Read more
International data provision
Probos acts as a national correspondent for Forest and Wood Statistics on behalf of the Netherlands for various European reports and surveys. Topics range from trade in wood products to biodiversity in our forests. Read more
Data provision serving other focal areas
In the other focal areas within Probos, we increasingly base our advice on data. The importance of data is thus increasing, which is why the "data provision" work field is an important link for various projects. Mapping the share of sustainably produced wood in various timber chains or analysing provincial forest revitalisation assignments using forest inventory data are some examples.
Click here for an overview of all projects within data supply. For an overview of the projects (from 2025 onwards) within other focal areas where forest inventory or wood flow data were used, click here.
