Wood industry in Corsica struggles to grow

Despite Corsica's vast forest resources, the wood industry there has not managed to become a major economic force. The sector includes 437 businesses, but 83% of them have no employees, highlighting a lack of significant economic activity.

Carpentry and roofing dominate the sector

Carpentry and roofing work are the main activities in the wood industry, with 236 establishments, compared to 201 in forestry and primary processing. Together, the sector employs 362 people, but many others are involved without being officially counted.

Access to forests remains a major challenge

Corsica's forests cover 69% of the island, much higher than the national average of 32%. However, many of these forests are hard to reach. According to the Regional Directorate for Food, Agriculture and Forestry (DRAAF), only 20% of wooded areas are actually accessible for logging.

Low annual timber harvest limits growth

The amount of timber harvested each year is very low, with less than 0.2% of standing timber being cut. Between 2022 and 2024, the commercial harvest ranged between 14,000 and 17,000 cubic meters annually, mostly for firewood. Despite this, the island has significant potential, such as cork oak production, which could be ten times higher than it currently is.

Economic contribution remains limited

The wood industry generated 24 million euros in wealth in 2023, but this is only a quarter of what would be expected proportionally at the national level. The sector is more prominent in the Corte area, where it accounts for 1.8% of employees, five times the average for the island.

Wages and workforce characteristics

The average net hourly wage in the sector is 13.80 euros, lower than the 14.60 euros average in the rest of Corsica. This is partly due to the high proportion of unskilled workers, who make up 36% of the sector's workforce, compared to 15% in the broader Corsican economy.

Stable but limited employment

Most workers in the wood industry have stable jobs, with eight out of ten on permanent contracts and nine out of ten working full-time. The workforce is relatively young, with 30% under 30, but it is also heavily male, with 81% of employees being men.

Hidden activity and future potential

Some forest owners sell firewood without registering as businesses, which means the industry's true size is not fully captured in official statistics. Efforts are underway to help these workers become more professional and comply with regulations. Promoting local wood in construction and public projects is seen as a potential path forward, though challenges like terrain, costs, and business succession remain.