The sustainable use of wood for energy, construction and other purposes will be of key importance in the future to meet a number of global sustainability goals. The share of exports of forest-wood products among domestically produced varieties is therefore an important indicator of the loss of production potential. According to the Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia, in 2019 Slovenia exported 40% of the forest-wood products produced domestically in that year, while 60% remained in the country for further consumption. In 2019, the forestry, wood processing and paper industries in Slovenia employed a total of 21,351 persons and generated a total of EUR 919 million in gross value added. Of these, the largest share of persons employed was in the wood processing industry, while forestry was the main contributor to the total value added.

As a source of wood, forests are an important natural resource for Slovenia. Wood use is growing in importance, as its processing is both energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. The forest is also one of the pillars of many Slovenian farms, as well as the first and key link in the forest-wood chain. This is also the reason for the supports provided under the Rural Development Programme for forests, forestry and pre-industrial wood processing, which have benefited farms and entrepreneurs in rural areas. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food has supported various investments in the forest-wood chain in the amount of EUR 80 million as part of the 2007-2013 Rural Development Programme and the 2014-2020 Rural Development Programme. In the forest-wood chain, the new CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027 foresees the continuation and upgrading of measures such as investments in forest infrastructure regulation, investments in the purchase of machinery and equipment for forest work, investments in pre-industrial wood processing, investments in the setting up of producer groups, training for forest owners and the rehabilitation of forests damaged by natural disasters. These measures will be accompanied by investments in the establishment and development of forest tree nurseries, the conservation and maintenance of grazing areas for wild herbivores and the training of forest advisers.