The March wood market in Estonia is characterized primarily by price stagnation \u2013 there haven't been significant changes, and most assortments see price fluctuations within one percent. Prices have increased the most for birch and alder logs, as well as softwood pulpwood. The only decrease was in firewood prices.<\/p>\n
The price fluctuation for softwood logs in March remained within 0.3%. Compared to the quarter before, softwood log prices have considerably increased, suggesting that the downturn in the sawmill industry has bottomed out. Over three months, prices rose for pine logs by 4.9%, pine pulpwood by 10.8%, spruce logs by 7.2%, and spruce pulpwood by 8%. However, compared to March of the previous year, all current prices are significantly lower. Prices have dropped by 14.5% (to 15 \u20ac\/m\u00b3) for pine logs, 16.6% (to 15.8 \u20ac\/m\u00b3) for pine pulpwood, 15.8% (to 15.6 \u20ac\/m\u00b3) for spruce logs, and 17.1% (to 16.4 \u20ac\/m\u00b3) for spruce pulpwood over the year.<\/p>\n
Hardwood log prices increased in March. While birch and red alder log prices rose by 4-5% and grey alder log prices increased by over 9%, the price increase for birch log assortments was up to 0.6%. Compared to December, the price increase for birch and alder logs was significantly higher: 14.6% for birch logs and 10.9% for red alder logs. The price dynamics for birch assortments differed \u2013 there was a slight increase in birch logs (2.9%) and a slight decrease in birch veneer logs (1.5%). Prices have significantly decreased compared to a year ago, especially for birch logs (24.3% or 36.7 \u20ac\/m\u00b3). Prices have dropped by 10.8% (to 20.3 \u20ac\/m\u00b3) for birch veneer logs, 18.9% (to 14.9 \u20ac\/m\u00b3) for red alder logs, and 13.8% (to 10.4 \u20ac\/m\u00b3) for birch logs.<\/p>\n
Prices for all assortments increased in the pulpwood market as well. Somewhat surprisingly, the price of softwood pulp increased the most (by 3.2%), despite already being very high. Additionally, it's the fifth consecutive month it's been the most expensive pulpwood variety. Traditionally the cheapest variety, birch pulpwood, increased by 0.5% in a month, and its price remains very favorable from the forest owner's perspective. Birchwood increased by 1.7% in a month and falls between softwood and hardwood in terms of price. Over three months, softwood pulpwood prices have increased significantly by 12.2%, while hardwood pulpwood price growth has been limited to 1.7%. Comparing today's prices to those a year ago, birchwood has undergone a significant price drop (26.5% or 20.4 \u20ac\/m\u00b3). Birchwood prices have slightly decreased over the year (2.2% or 1.1 \u20ac\/m\u00b3), while pine and spruce wood prices are 4.7% (2.9 \u20ac\/m\u00b3) higher over the year, making them the only assortments whose current price is higher than that of March last year.<\/p>\n
The price of mixed firewood dropped below 42 euros per cubic meter, settling at 41.07 \u20ac\/m\u00b3 (a decrease of 2.9%) for the month. For household consumers, a 22% value-added tax is added, resulting in a final price of 50.11 \u20ac\/m\u00b3. Compared to the quarter before, firewood prices have dropped by 3.2%, but compared to a year ago, today's price is 2.9% (1.2 \u20ac\/m\u00b3) higher, making it one of the few assortments whose price has increased over the year.<\/p>\n
| <\/th>\n | 03\/2023<\/th>\n | 02\/2024<\/th>\n | 03\/2024<\/th>\n | Comparison (03\/2024 vs. 02\/2024)<\/th>\n | YoY Comparison (03\/2024 vs. 03\/2023)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pine logs<\/td>\n | 103.52<\/td>\n | 88.52<\/td>\n | 88.52<\/td>\n | 0.0%<\/td>\n | -14.4%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Small-diameter pine logs<\/td>\n | 95.38<\/td>\n | 79.51<\/td>\n | 79.56<\/td>\n | 0.1%<\/td>\n | -16.5%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Spruce logs<\/td>\n | 98.70<\/td>\n | 82.93<\/td>\n | 83.13<\/td>\n | 0.2%<\/td>\n | -15.9%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Small-diameter spruce logs<\/td>\n | 95.76<\/td>\n | 79.12<\/td>\n | 79.39<\/td>\n | 0.3%<\/td>\n | -17.1%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Birch veneer logs<\/td>\n | 188.22<\/td>\n | 166.88<\/td>\n | 167.88<\/td>\n | 0.6%<\/td>\n | -10.8%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Birch logs<\/td>\n | 150.96<\/td>\n | 113.60<\/td>\n | 114.27<\/td>\n | 0.6%<\/td>\n | -24.2%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Alder logs<\/td>\n | 75.52<\/td>\n | 62.36<\/td>\n | 65.10<\/td>\n | 4.4%<\/td>\n | -13.8%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Red Alder logs<\/td>\n | 79.00<\/td>\n | 61.12<\/td>\n | 64.10<\/td>\n | 4.9%<\/td>\n | -18.8%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Grey Alder logs<\/td>\n | N\/A<\/td>\n | 50.98<\/td>\n | 55.78<\/td>\n | 9.4%<\/td>\n | N\/A<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Pine pulpwood<\/td>\n | 62.82<\/td>\n | 63.72<\/td>\n | 65.75<\/td>\n | 3.2%<\/td>\n | 4.7%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Spruce pulpwood<\/td>\n | 62.82<\/td>\n | 63.72<\/td>\n | 65.75<\/td>\n | 3.2%<\/td>\n | 4.7%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Birch pulpwood<\/td>\n | 76.92<\/td>\n | 55.76<\/td>\n | 56.56<\/td>\n | 1.4%<\/td>\n | -26.6%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Alder pulpwood<\/td>\n | 52.52<\/td>\n | 51.13<\/td>\n | 51.38<\/td>\n | 0.5%<\/td>\n | -2.1%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Firewood<\/td>\n | 39.90<\/td>\n | 42.31<\/td>\n | 41.07<\/td>\n | -2.9%<\/td>\n | 2.8%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The March wood market in Estonia is characterized primarily by price stagnation \u2013 there haven’t been significant changes, and most assortments see price fluctuations within one percent. Prices have increased the most for birch and alder logs, as well as … Continue reading |