Poland\u2019s wood processors are paying more on average for raw material while furniture manufacturers are selling less. Timber auctions still attract competing bids, but further along the production chain, falling output, rising employment costs and overdue payments are putting factories under financial pressure. Bankruptcy applications at Fameg and a Werth-Holz subsidiary have followed earlier attempts to manage mounting liabilities.<\/p>\n
The average price of wood sold by Poland\u2019s forest districts reached PLN 312.02 (EUR 70.89) per cubic metre in January\u2013September 2026, up 10.9% from PLN 281.37 (EUR 63.93) a year earlier. This figure covers different species and assortments; individual markets have moved quite differently, with standard oak auction prices easing in the second half.<\/p>\n
Manufacturing has remained weak. In September, furniture production sold fell 6.8% year on year in constant prices. Output in the category covering wood, cork, straw and wicker products declined 1.6%, while Polish industrial production overall grew 4.6%.<\/p>\n
What buyers paid for pine, spruce and hardwoods<\/strong><\/p>\n State Forests\u2019 system auctions for deliveries in the second half of 2026 produced a wide spread of prices. Standard large-diameter pine roundwood reached PLN 447 (EUR 101.56) per cubic metre, compared with PLN 488 (EUR 110.87) for spruce, PLN 483 (EUR 109.74) for birch and PLN 352 (EUR 79.97) for beech.<\/p>\n Oak was considerably more expensive, at PLN 1,257 (EUR 285.59) per cubic metre. However, that was approximately 15.2% below the PLN 1,482 (EUR 336.71) achieved for the corresponding standard oak assortment in the first-half system auctions.<\/p>\n Oak buyers had entered the year facing a smaller offer. According to the Polish wood industry chamber PIGPD, the volume of standard oak offered for the first half fell to 108,837 cubic metres from 131,583 cubic metres a year earlier, a reduction of 17.3%. The subsequent decline in auction prices therefore follows a particularly expensive first-half purchasing round.<\/p>\n For pine, the second-half results included PLN 461 (EUR 104.74) per cubic metre for combined B\/C-grade logs and PLN 416 (EUR 94.52) for the shorter-length B\/C assortment. Spruce cut-to-length logs sold at PLN 516 (EUR 117.24).<\/p>\n The separate monthly results for ongoing auctions provide a more recent view of purchases. In September, standard pine cut-to-length logs averaged PLN 440 (EUR 99.97) per cubic metre. Short, stack-measured B\/C-grade pine logs reached PLN 472 (EUR 107.24), while the corresponding C-grade assortment achieved PLN 459 (EUR 104.29).<\/p>\n Competition also extended to lower-value material. Pine industrial roundwood averaged PLN 362 (EUR 82.25) per cubic metre in September. General-purpose pine roundwood reached PLN 353 (EUR 80.20), almost twice its average starting price of PLN 180 (EUR 40.90).<\/p>\n These results concern roundwood sold through different procedures. The standard assortments combine several quality classes, while B\/C prices cover the two grades together. Differences in length, measurement and quality also prevent a straightforward comparison between every row of the price table.<\/p>\n Selected oak commands much higher prices<\/strong><\/p>\n Specialist timber tenders recorded substantially higher prices for selected oak.<\/p>\n At the Krosno tender concluded on February 26, oak averaged PLN 3,904 (EUR 886.99) per cubic metre. All 1,178 cubic metres of oak offered were sold. Across the tender, which included other species, approximately 85% of the 1,926 cubic metres offered found buyers.<\/p>\n At the Gda\u0144sk regional tender in March, 354.71 cubic metres of oak sold at an average PLN 2,448 (EUR 556.19) per cubic metre. The highest-priced oak lot, supplied by Starogard Forest District, achieved PLN 6,888 (EUR 1,564.96).<\/p>\n These are results for selected timber, with substantial differences between individual logs. The published summaries do not provide separate average prices for A-grade and B-grade oak. The maximum at Gda\u0144sk was a single-lot result, rather than a price available across the whole sale.<\/p>\n More wood planned for 2027, but less hardwood<\/strong><\/p>\n State Forests has scheduled approximately 37.66 million cubic metres of wood for sale in 2027, against 37.20 million cubic metres in the initial 2026 plan. The increase is about 1.3%.<\/p>\n The main pool offered to business buyers changes much less, rising by approximately 0.3% to 30.76 million cubic metres. Within that allocation, softwood accounts for around 26.40 million cubic metres. Hardwood falls to approximately 4.36 million cubic metres, from 4.45 million in the initial 2026 plan and 4.68 million in 2025.<\/p>\n Much of the increase in the overall sales plan comes from forest residues. Their allocation rises from approximately 651,700 to 947,700 cubic metres, accounting for nearly two-thirds of the additional volume. This material serves different markets from the logs required by sawmills, flooring producers and solid-wood furniture manufacturers.<\/p>\n The first purchasing round for 2027 has already attracted demand above the available offer. In the opening stage of offer-based sales for first-half deliveries, buyers submitted bids for approximately 12.47 million cubic metres against 11.50 million cubic metres offered. Requested volumes exceeded the offer by about 8.4%.<\/p>\n Those bids concern forward raw-material procurement. They do not establish a recovery in finished-product orders. Manufacturers must arrange wood deliveries before knowing the prices and volumes they will ultimately secure from customers.<\/p>\n State Forests\u2019 pricing rules for 2027 use second-half 2026 base prices, adjusted for forecast inflation and taking account of increases achieved in the preceding sales procedure. Local adjustments remain possible. The resulting purchasing costs will depend on the assortment, location and competition in each sale.<\/p>\n Furniture exports and employment decline<\/strong><\/p>\n Furniture manufacturers have fewer sales over which to spread their costs.<\/p>\n B+R Studio\u2019s analysis of Statistics Poland data put first-half furniture production sold at PLN 27.04 billion (EUR 6.14 billion), down 4% year on year. The figures exclude microenterprises. Furniture exports fell 5% to EUR 5.84 billion, while imports remained broadly unchanged at EUR 1.51 billion.<\/p>\n The decline affected several major product groups. Production of wooden bedroom furniture fell 14%, wooden kitchen furniture 8%, seating with wooden frames 7%, and wooden living-room and dining-room furniture 4%.<\/p>\n Employment in the surveyed furniture industry fell to approximately 137,000 people, from 143,000 a year earlier. Average monthly gross pay nevertheless increased 4% to PLN 6,948.70 (EUR 1,578.75).<\/p>\n The combination leaves manufacturers with lower output and a higher wage bill per employee. Reducing staff can limit expenditure, but factories also carry machinery, property, maintenance and financing costs when production slows. Price competition restricts how much of that burden can be passed to customers.<\/p>\n Forte\u2019s quarterly EBITDA falls 99%<\/strong><\/p>\n Forte\u2019s preliminary results show sales growing alongside a sharp deterioration in earnings.<\/p>\n For July\u2013September, the furniture group reported estimated revenue of PLN 301 million (EUR 68.4 million), up from PLN 280 million (EUR 63.6 million). EBITDA fell to PLN 0.3 million (EUR 68,000), from PLN 41 million (EUR 9.3 million). An operating profit of PLN 27 million (EUR 6.1 million) became an operating loss of PLN 15 million (EUR 3.4 million).<\/p>\n Over April\u2013September, revenue rose to PLN 589 million (EUR 133.8 million), from PLN 550 million (EUR 125.0 million). The latest period included PLN 44 million (EUR 10.0 million) from the newly consolidated Specific upholstery business, as well as higher external particleboard sales. The increase therefore cannot be treated entirely as growth in the existing furniture operations.<\/p>\n Currency hedging explains a substantial part of the earnings comparison. Its positive contribution over April\u2013September fell to PLN 2 million (EUR 0.45 million), from PLN 61.4 million (EUR 13.95 million) a year earlier.<\/p>\n There were additional operating costs. Forte said selling-price increases introduced in July had not fully covered higher material and transport expenses. Starting its new distribution centre also generated additional staffing and warehousing costs.<\/p>\n At September 30, the reported financial debt-to-EBITDA ratio reached 6.6, exceeding the agreed banking covenant. In its October 28 announcement, Forte said it had requested a waiver and that borrowers continued to meet their credit obligations. The figures were preliminary.<\/p>\n Bankruptcy applications at Fameg and Werth-Holz<\/strong><\/p>\n Fameg, the Radomsko manufacturer known for bentwood furniture, applied for bankruptcy on September 29. The application followed a creditor arrangement approved in March 2025, under which repayments were spread over periods of up to five years and some liabilities were reduced.<\/p>\n Its financial problems predated the latest filing. Fameg reported a net loss of PLN 14.2 million (EUR 3.23 million) in 2024, compared with PLN 2.3 million (EUR 0.52 million) in 2023. Revenue fell approximately 8% to around PLN 100 million (EUR 22.72 million).<\/p>\n The company sold more products that year: approximately 252,000 units, mainly chairs, against 239,000 previously. Higher unit sales were therefore insufficient to prevent lower revenue and a larger loss. Exports accounted for about 45% of sales, down from 55%.<\/p>\n Fameg employed more than 500 people at the end of 2024. Following the bankruptcy application, the company said production and customer contact continued. The filing was an application to the court, rather than an announcement that a bankruptcy ruling had already been issued.<\/p>\n At Werth-Holz, two separate proceedings concern different group companies. The listed parent applied on September 25 for accelerated arrangement proceedings, seeking to reorganise liabilities while continuing operations.<\/p>\n The wooden garden-products manufacturer cited weak demand in its main markets, competition from Asian suppliers and higher wood, energy and labour costs. It also planned to adjust production capacity. The application did not cover the housebuilding business operated by Enoviahaus.<\/p>\n Earlier in September, Werth-Holz disclosed that its wholly owned subsidiary, Werth-Holz sp. z o.o., had applied for bankruptcy after losing the ability to meet liabilities as they fell due. That subsidiary\u2019s bankruptcy application is separate from the parent company\u2019s restructuring request.<\/p>\n Overdue furniture-sector debt reaches PLN 413 million<\/strong><\/p>\n Payment difficulties extend beyond the companies entering court proceedings.<\/p>\n BIG InfoMonitor reported PLN 413.3 million (EUR 93.9 million) in overdue liabilities among furniture businesses at the end of July, an increase of 21.1% year on year. The number of businesses with recorded arrears rose by 104 to 2,757.<\/p>\n These are overdue-payment figures, rather than a count of insolvencies. They nevertheless show that more furniture businesses were struggling to pay existing obligations while preparing to finance further production.<\/p>\n The next timber purchasing rounds will take place against that background. Manufacturers are arranging deliveries for 2027 while furniture exports remain below their year-earlier level, hardwood availability is being reduced and some businesses are already negotiating with creditors.<\/p>\n Poland: timber auction prices<\/p>\n Achieved prices per cubic metre, PLN (EUR)<\/p>\n EUR equivalents calculated at EUR 1 = PLN 4.4014, NBP reference rate of 4 November 2026.<\/p>\n GWMI<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Poland\u2019s wood processors are paying more on average for raw material while furniture manufacturers are selling less. Timber auctions still attract competing bids, but further along the production chain, falling output, rising employment costs and overdue payments are putting factories … Continue reading \n\n
\n \nSpecies<\/th>\n Grade or assortment<\/th>\n PLN (EUR)\/m\u00b3<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n System auctions \u2014 deliveries in H2 2026<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n \n Pine<\/td>\n Standard large-diameter roundwood<\/td>\n 447 (101.56)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Pine<\/td>\n Standard cut-to-length logs<\/td>\n 457 (103.83)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Pine<\/td>\n Standard roundwood, short lengths<\/td>\n 436 (99.06)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Pine<\/td>\n B\/C-grade logs, individually measured<\/td>\n 461 (104.74)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Pine<\/td>\n Short B\/C-grade logs, individually measured<\/td>\n 416 (94.52)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Pine<\/td>\n Roundwood for mechanical processing, longer lengths<\/td>\n 430 (97.70)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Pine<\/td>\n Roundwood for mechanical processing, short lengths<\/td>\n 464 (105.42)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Pine<\/td>\n Industrial roundwood, longer lengths<\/td>\n 426 (96.79)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Pine<\/td>\n General-purpose roundwood<\/td>\n 370 (84.06)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Spruce<\/td>\n Standard large-diameter roundwood<\/td>\n 488 (110.87)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Spruce<\/td>\n Standard cut-to-length logs<\/td>\n 516 (117.24)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Spruce<\/td>\n Industrial roundwood, longer lengths<\/td>\n 404 (91.79)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Beech<\/td>\n Standard large-diameter roundwood<\/td>\n 352 (79.97)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Birch<\/td>\n Standard large-diameter roundwood<\/td>\n 483 (109.74)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Birch<\/td>\n Industrial roundwood, longer lengths<\/td>\n 352 (79.97)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Oak<\/td>\n Standard large-diameter roundwood<\/td>\n 1,257 (285.59)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Oak<\/td>\n Roundwood for mechanical processing, short lengths<\/td>\n 669 (152.00)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Ongoing auctions \u2014 September 2026<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n \n Pine<\/td>\n Standard cut-to-length logs<\/td>\n 440 (99.97)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Pine<\/td>\n Short B\/C-grade logs, stack-measured<\/td>\n 472 (107.24)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Pine<\/td>\n Short C-grade logs, stack-measured<\/td>\n 459 (104.29)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Pine<\/td>\n Industrial roundwood<\/td>\n 362 (82.25)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Pine<\/td>\n General-purpose roundwood<\/td>\n 353 (80.20)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Birch<\/td>\n Industrial roundwood<\/td>\n 321 (72.93)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Alder<\/td>\n Industrial roundwood<\/td>\n 325 (73.84)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Oak<\/td>\n D-grade logs, stack-measured<\/td>\n 548 (124.51)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Oak<\/td>\n Low-quality large-diameter roundwood, outside standard grades<\/td>\n 369 (83.84)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Oak<\/td>\n General-purpose roundwood<\/td>\n 325 (73.84)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Selected oak \u2014 regional tenders, February\u2013March 2026<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n \n Oak<\/td>\n Krosno, February \u2014 selected timber, average<\/td>\n 3,904 (886.99)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Oak<\/td>\n Gda\u0144sk, March \u2014 selected timber, average<\/td>\n 2,448 (556.19)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Oak<\/td>\n Gda\u0144sk, March \u2014 highest-priced lot, from Starogard<\/td>\n 6,888 (1,564.96)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n