Brisk demand for round sawn timber.
Austria's economic output shrank again in 2024. Industry and the construction sector remain in recession. Weak private consumption is also dampening the economy. Business sentiment is pessimistic, partly due to the cautious forecasts for the coming year. The effects of the necessary budget consolidation are not yet foreseeable.

Round sawn timber
Despite the gloomy economic outlook and sluggish sales of sawn timber, demand for round sawn timber is brisk. The locations are fully able to absorb the current supply. Assortments that have been made available are being transported away quickly; restrictions are only expected with weather-related thaws. With the exception of Burgenland, prices have increased and are between EUR 95 - 115 excluding VAT for spruce A/C 2b+ throughout Austria. Following the trend for spruce, prices for pine have also risen regionally. The demand for larch can still hardly be met. In some places, prices have also been increased here.

Oak and ash are still the most sought-after species on the hardwood sawlog market. This is also reflected in the supply at the timber submission in Upper Austria. Oak accounts for 64% of the quantity on offer and ash for 22%. The remaining 14% is spread across 17 tree species. The sawn timber market for copper beech has come under very strong pressure. Demand for good qualities is very weak. Although volumes on the emerging market are satisfactory, prices have fallen by around 20% over the past two years.

Industrial timber
The industrial timber market remains balanced. The locations of the paper, pulp and board industry are able to absorb the demand. Quantities provided are being transported and accepted quickly. Prices are still largely stable, but are coming under pressure regionally. A similar picture is emerging for copper beech fibre wood.

Energy wood
On the energy wood market, buyers are generally very well stocked. The rather mild winter so far has further dampened demand. It is correspondingly difficult to sell additional quantities. Prices are still stable. Demand for high-quality firewood is falling sharply, with supply exceeding demand.

PEFC-certified forest owners must ensure that contracted timber harvesting service providers also comply with the PEFC requirements. If you choose a ZÖFU-certified service provider, this obligation does not apply.

All prices quoted refer to business transactions in the period December 2024 - beginning of January 2025 and are net prices to which VAT must be added. The following tax rates apply to timber sales to entrepreneurs: 13% for all product ranges in the case of flat-rate VAT, 13% for energy wood/firewood and 20% for round timber in the case of standard taxation.

Source: lko.at