Average prices of almost all types of Finnish roundwood rose in December 2023. Conifer log prices rose by around 1% compared to November, and pulpwood prices increased by between two and five percent, varying by trade and species.

Based on volumes, timber trade was slow in December. The total volume of roundwood trade was one-third lower than a year earlier and two-fifths below the average for the previous five years.

The average price paid for spruce logs in standing sales in December was Euro 71.0 per cubic metre, and the average price for pine logs was Euro 67.5. These prices rose slightly from November and ended up around 5% below the average prices for the whole of the previous year in real terms.

The average price of birch logs for the whole country was Euro 59.2. This was 2% lower than in November and 15% more than the average for 2022.

In standing sales of pulpwood, the average price was Euro 27.1 for spruce, Euro 25.6 for birch and Euro 25.0 for pine. Pine rose by 5% in the monthly survey, spruce and birch by 3%. The average prices of the previous year were exceeded by 17?C23%.

In delivery sales, average prices of pulpwood rose slightly less, ending up at Euro 48.7 for spruce, Euro 47.4 for birch and Euro 46.0 for pine. The average prices for the whole of the previous year were exceeded by 20?C23%.

In December, 34% less industrial roundwood was purchased from private forests than a year earlier. The volume was 38% below the average for the previous five years.

In 2023, the volume of roundwood purchased was 2% lower than the previous year and 4% lower than the average for the previous five years, according to preliminary data. Compared to the previous five years, both the trade in logs and pulpwood decreased by 4%.