In April, prices for industrial roundwood rose across all categories in Finland. Spruce and pine log prices were slightly lower than last summer's peaks, while other species surpassed last year's highs, according to the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke).

Despite a 10% year-over-year decrease in timber sales volume at the start of the year, figures were still 4% above the five-year average.

In April, standing sales saw spruce log prices at Euro 78 per cubic meter, a 4% increase from March. Pine logs rose 3% to Euro 74 per cubic meter, with both prices 4% higher in real terms compared to last year's average. Birch logs exceeded Euro 64 per cubic meter, the highest since 2008.

Pulpwood prices in standing sales saw spruce at over Euro 31 per cubic meter, while birch and pine were around Euro 29 per cubic meter. These prices marked a 3-4% rise from March and ended up 12-14% above last year's averages. Pine pulpwood prices set a new real price record in the data series starting from 1995.

In delivery sales, pulpwood prices slightly declined from March, with spruce and birch at almost Euro 49 per cubic meter, and pine just over Euro 47 per cubic meter.

The average timber prices in April 2024 were as follows:

-Pine logs stood at Euro 74.05 per cubic meter, increasing by 3% from March and 4% from last year's average.
-Spruce logs were priced at Euro 77.90 per cubic meter, up 4% from both March and last year.
-Birch logs rose to Euro 64.06 per cubic meter, marking a 3% rise from March and a 10% increase from last year.
-Pine pulpwood reached Euro 28.89 per cubic meter, a 3% increase from March and a 14% rise from last year.
-Spruce pulpwood was at Euro 31.09 per cubic meter, up 3% from March and 12% from last year.
-Birch pulpwood was Euro 29.47 per cubic meter, increasing by 4% from March and 12% from last year.

Trade volumes in April reflected a 15% decrease in industrial roundwood purchases from the previous year but were still 8% higher than the five-year average. From January to April, the total trade volume was 10% lower year-over-year but exceeded the five-year average by 4%, with log trade up by 7% and pulpwood trade remaining steady.

The ban on Russian and Belarusian wood imports has led to a biomass shortage in the Baltic timber market, causing prices for logs, pulpwood, and other forest raw materials to rise. This shortage has disconnected the prices of raw materials from those of industrial products like lumber, pulp, and paper, leading to higher raw material prices without an increase in volumes.

Source:  Luke