Germany: Turnover in the sawmill industry shrinks more slowly
In 2024, the German sawmill industry generated sales of € 5.1 billion, 5% less than in the previous year and around 30% less than in 2022. Domestic sales were the hardest hit by the decline, falling by 6% to € 3 billion.

Germany: High demand for pellets lifts prices
Prices on the wood pellet market rose by 19% in February 2025 compared to the previous month to an average of €363.21 per tonne (purchase quantity 6 tonnes). One kilogramme of pellets costs 36.32 cents and one kilowatt hour (kWh) of heat from pellets costs 7.26 cents.

German furniture industry 2024 sales decline 7%
The German furniture industry generated sales of € 16.4 billion in 2024. This is 7% less than in the previous year. Sales growth in the low single-digit percentage range is forecast for the current year.

German pallets: decline in imports, increase in exports
While Germany imported fewer pallets in 2024 than in 2023, there was an increase in exports in the previous year compared to 2023. There was no change in Germany's main trading partners.

Germany's chipboard exports increased
In the previous year, 2.4 million m³ of chipboard and OSB were exported from Germany. That was 5% more than in 2023, when it was 2.2 million m3.

Germany: Wood-based materials industry continues to lose sales
In 2024, the previous year's decline in turnover will continue for the German engineered wood industry. Compared to the same period of the previous year, sales fell by 10% to € 4.7 billion. Domestic sales in this period fell by 12% to 2.8.

Germany: Declining sales in the paper and pulp industry
With a total of € 15.1 billion, the paper industry suffered a 3% decline in sales in 2024 compared to the previous year, which affected domestic and foreign business almost equally. Domestic sales fell by 3% to € 6.2 billion.

Italy: Slight increase in laminated timber imports
From January to November 2024, Italy imported 591,000 m3 of glulam and cross-laminated timber (= laminated timber). This represents an increase of 2% compared to the same period in 2023.

Austria: Oak and ash in high demand for submissions
The overall economic climate in Austria has not improved. Additional uncertainty is caused by the changes on the US market. Nevertheless, demand for spruce sawlogs is stable and has increased slightly in some regions.

Austria: Wood chips recover minimally, sawdust down
While the price index for wood chips in Austria rose slightly at the end of 2024, that for sawdust fell month-on-month. Compared to December 2023, there was a significant decline in both indices.

Latvia: Coniferous logs noticeably more expensive
In the fourth quarter of 2024, the price of softwood logs in Latvia rose again compared to the previous quarter, while the price of hardwood logs continued to fall. Compared to the same period last year, log prices for all assortments have risen sharply.