O’Kelly Acumen
O’Kelly Acumen offers independent market insights and consulting for the global forest industries.
We are a small organization, led by Glen O’Kelly, a forestry economist with 20+ years of experience in forestry operations, market analytics, and business consulting to top-management in the sector globally.
Our experience covers the full value chain, from wood and wood products, pulp and recycled paper, paper and paperboard, and bioenergy.
We are based in Sweden but have roots in New Zealand, and experience in most regions. On many of our reports and consulting projects, we collaborate with other organizations covering the global forest industry, including Wood Resources International, Fastmarkets RISI and Timber Exchange.
New report
Softwood lumber
Tariffs, turbulence and new trade flows
Global outlook 2025-2030
Softwood lumber markets globally are emerging from several years of weak demand and now face new trade restrictions that could dramatically reshape global trade. U.S. import tariffs, a property crisis in China, and war in Europe all add to uncertainty in the years ahead. This report provides a thorough overview of recent market developments, perspectives on key trends shaping future market evolution, and forecasts and scenarios for global demand, supply, and trade.
Published: October 2025
Authors: Glen O’Kelly and Håkan Ekström (Global Wood Trends)
To learn more about the report, check out the brochure or visit our webshop:
New public report
Competitiveness & Sustainability in the B.C. Forest Sector
We recenty released a new report on the competitiveness and sustainability of B.C.’s forest industry, commissioned by the B.C. Confederation of Forest Industries.
The report includes results from a global survey of 66 senior industry leaders, who assessed the relative position of 10 key forestry global jurisdictions from North America, Europe, South America and Oceania. It compares sector performance, in terms of GDP, employment, productivity and sustainability, as well as conditions for the forest industry – from wood supply, infrastructure and labour availability, to tax, innovation, and environmental policies.
Read the full report here:
New report
Sustainable Aviation Fuel – Prospects for forest-based fuels
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) demand is surging with efforts to decarbonize aviation. This study projects SAF demand though 2030, details capacity growth by region and technology, and considers the implications for forest biomass demand. It looks at raw material availability for SAF, with a focus on forest biomass. Three case studies highlight the challenges that SAF project developers face, in raw material sourcing, technology, construction and finance.
To learn more about the report, check out the brochure or visit our webshop:
Our services
REPORTS
Market reports
- Quick insights into hot topics shaping the global forest industries today, in a format that is easy to read and understand.
- ~3 per year
- 80-100 pages in slide format
- Affordable price, max USD 3000 per report
Recent reports: European wood pellets outlook, Forest carbon markets, Global lumber market.
CONSULTING
Expert consulting
- Deep expertise in the global forest products industry, including
- Forestry and carbon
- Fiber supply assessments
- Wood products
- Wood pellets and bioenergy
- Pulp and paper
- Markets and strategy
- Foreign aid
- Government policy
- Financial analyses
Data
Market data
- Data sets underlying each of our market reports
- Other data assets, e.g. wood pellet plant database, regional lumber cost benchmarking, wood price series