The German timber market is starting 2026 with exceptionally high prices. The supply of timber is often insufficient to meet the needs of sawmills. According to the German Timber Industry Association (HDH), the supply of raw timber has recently deteriorated rapidly. The HDH also warns of the consequences of the Restoration Ordinance (WVO) for sustainable forest management. This refers primarily to the so-called prohibition on degradation.

The German timber market is starting 2026 with exceptionally high prices. The supply situation remains tight, particularly for spruce and pine roundwood. In many areas, available volumes are insufficient to fully meet sawmills’ demand. Consequently, prices rose significantly again in the first quarter of 2026.

Many sawmills are striving to use high prices to increase forest owners’ willingness to supply wood. Many sawmills fear that their inventories will be insufficiently stocked after the harvesting season. Conditions for harvesting remain very favorable for the time being. For spruce, a price of 130 to 133 euros per cubic meter—and in some cases as high as 135 euros—is being paid for fixed-length B/C grade and B grade long timber in the 2b+ thickness class. For 2b+ in B/C grades, prices currently range from around 96 to 100 euros per cubic meter. For beetle-damaged wood, sawmills are applying a discount of €20 per cubic meter off the BC price.

Current contracts with sawmills often run through the end of April. Since most sawmills are short on supply, shipments are moving very quickly. Demand for industrial wood has also risen significantly recently, as—despite increased timber production—shipments of industrial wood have been postponed at the expense of roundwood deliveries to sawmills, and the cold winter has noticeably increased the demand for firewood.

Additional price premiums are sometimes offered for fresh industrial wood in the first quarter. Forest owner associations therefore recommend selectively harvesting industrial wood assortments. Due to the cold and snowy winter, inventory reduction was accelerated, and demand for energy wood rose sharply with the cold weather. Due to the intense heating season, demand for high-quality firewood is now also increasing further to replenish supplies.

Source: agrarheute.com