The volume of Finnish timber trade was the second highest recorded in March. For the entire early part of the year, 11% more timber was purchased than the average for the previous five years, according to the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke).

In standing sales, the average price paid for spruce logs in March was Euro 75.1 and for pine logs Euro 71.6 per cubic metre. Average prices rose by 1% in real terms from February. Compared to the whole of last year, the increase was between 1 and 2%.

For pulpwood, the average standing sale price of pine and spruce rose by 4% and birch by 3% from February. For spruce, the price was 15% above the average price for the whole of last year. Pine and birch rose by 19 and 21% respectively.

Standing sale prices for pulpwood were at a record high. The last time the real average price for spruce was this high was in 2009. Pine and birch prices have not been at March levels since the late 1990s.

In delivery sales, pulpwood prices remained at February levels. Compared to average prices for the whole of last year, 15–17% more was paid.

The last time pulpwood roadside prices were this high was in 2008.

In March, 3.6 million m3 of industrial roundwood purchased from private forests were recorded in the statistics. This was the second highest in the history of the statistics in March and 38% higher than the average for the previous five years.

In January-March, timber trade was 33% higher than a year ago and 11% higher than the average for the previous five years. Compared to the previous five years, trade in logs is up 15% and trade in pulpwood is up 8%.

Source:  Natural Resources Institute Finland