Roundwood prices declined in standing sales in Finland in July compared to the previous month, according to the National Resources Institute Finland (Luke).
The average prices of pine and spruce logs fell by 2% compared to June, while the price of birch logs dropped by 4%.
Prices for pulpwood decreased by 3% to 4% respectively. In delivery sales, prices remained stable or rose slightly.
In July, over one-third less industrial roundwood was purchased compared to last year.
The cumulative purchase volume for January–July was 3% lower than last year but exceeded the five-year average by 10%.
In standing sales in July, the average price paid for spruce logs exceeded EUR 84 per cubic meter, while pine logs fetched just over EUR 82.
The price was about two euros — or 2 percent — less than in June. The price of birch logs fell by 4% to below EUR 67.
Standing sale prices for pulpwood also declined compared to June, with a steeper percentage drop than for logs. The average price of spruce pulpwood fell below EUR 35, while pine and birch pulpwood prices dropped below EUR 34.
Prices for all timber assortments in standing sales decreased noticeably in July, yet remained 3–10% higher than the average prices for the entire previous year.
In delivery sales, prices either held steady at June levels or increased. The average procurement prices for pulpwood rose to EUR 53–55.
In July, purchases of industrial roundwood from private forests were 36 percent lower than in the same month last year.
Compared to the five-year average for July, purchases fell short by 13 percent.
For the third consecutive month, purchase volumes were significantly lower than last year. However, volumes earlier in the year were so high that the cumulative timber trade for January–July was only 3% below last year's level. It still exceeded the five-year average by 10%.
Source: www.dailyfinland.fi
