According to the report of Wood Resources Quarterly, wood raw-material costs for sawmills in North America and Europe eased in the 3Q 2022 as demand and prices for lumber fell.


The Global Sawlog Price Index (GSPI) fell 5% from its all-time high in the previous quarter to US$90.54/m3. The decline follows a two-year increasing streak when the index had only one occasion when it declined q-o-q.

Prices for pulplogs and wood chips have increased in practically all markets worldwide in the 3Q 2022. As a result, the Hardwood Fiber Price Index (HFPI) has moved upward for over two years to reach $100.47/bdmt in the 3Q/22, 26% higher than its 15-year low in the 2Q 2020.

Global softwood fiber prices have also risen over the past few years, with the Softwood Fiber Price Index (SFPI) increasing for nine consecutive quarters. In the 3Q 2022, the SFPIwas $101.63/bdmt, the highest level since early 2021.

Market pulp prices continued up in the 3Q 2022 but started to level off late in the quarter and into early 4Q 2022. Softwood and hardwood chemical pulp prices were substantially higher in the 3Q 2022 y-o-y, with the most substantial increases occurring in China, where NBSK was up 18% over the past years, and HBSK has risen 36%.