European softwood lumber prices remained largely stable in May, but market participants increasingly describe demand as weaker than expected, with many buyers continuing to rely on inventories accumulated earlier this year rather than placing significant new orders.<\/p>\n
The absence of a traditional spring recovery has left suppliers facing a more competitive market environment. Although sawlog prices remain elevated in Northern Europe and several producers have announced production curtailments, the additional supply discipline has so far been insufficient to stimulate another round of lumber price increases.<\/p>\n
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Several market participants contacted by Global Wood Markets Info said inventories remain unusually high across parts of Central Europe following aggressive purchasing during the fourth quarter of 2025 and the beginning of 2026. According to one supplier, many distributors expected stronger construction demand and further price increases, but those expectations have not materialized.<\/p>\n
As a result, buyers have gained additional negotiating power, purchasing primarily for immediate requirements while delaying larger commitments. One producer said customers are no longer under pressure to secure volumes, allowing them to negotiate more aggressively than earlier this year.<\/p>\n
European softwood lumber prices remain largely stable, Nordic exports to Europe (\u20ac per m\u00b3, delivered)<\/strong><\/p>\n Buyers remain in control<\/strong><\/p>\n Several suppliers said the market continues to be influenced by inventories accumulated during the final quarter of 2025 and the beginning of 2026. Many distributors entered the year expecting stronger construction activity and another round of price increases, leading them to purchase larger volumes than ultimately proved necessary.<\/p>\n According to one producer, those inventories continue to provide buyers with considerable negotiating leverage. Instead of rebuilding stocks, customers are purchasing only for immediate requirements, allowing them to negotiate more aggressively on both prices and delivery schedules.<\/p>\n Another market participant said the market is no longer constrained by product availability but by the pace of consumption. Even where producers have reduced output, existing inventories across the supply chain continue to satisfy current demand.<\/p>\n Little price movement across Europe<\/strong><\/p>\n The lack of significant price changes during May reflects subdued trading activity rather than improving market confidence. Germany, France and the Benelux countries all reported unchanged prices across the monitored spruce products after gains recorded during previous months.<\/p>\n One trader said buyers remain cautious despite stable raw material costs, with most contracts negotiated only for short-term requirements. Several producers noted that discussions are becoming increasingly focused on maintaining existing prices rather than securing further increases.<\/p>\n The United Kingdom followed a similar pattern. Most products remained unchanged, although spruce 50\u00d7100 mm recorded a modest increase in its upper price range. Market participants described overall trading activity as quiet, supported mainly by replacement buying rather than new project demand.<\/p>\n Production cuts continue<\/strong><\/p>\n Several Nordic producers have already announced temporary shutdowns or production adjustments as order books softened. Market participants said these measures are intended to balance supply with slower demand rather than respond to raw material shortages.<\/p>\n One Scandinavian producer said production discipline has become increasingly important as mills seek to avoid building excessive finished goods inventories during the traditionally slower summer months.<\/p>\n Market outlook<\/strong><\/p>\n Several contacts believe the market has now moved beyond this year's strongest pricing phase. June negotiations and early third-quarter discussions increasingly include requests for discounts or improved commercial terms, a notable shift from the sentiment seen earlier in the year.<\/p>\n Seasonal construction slowdowns are now beginning across several European markets, particularly in the Netherlands, where summer holidays traditionally reduce building activity. Rather than representing a temporary interruption, some suppliers fear this seasonal weakness will reinforce already subdued demand.<\/p>\n Despite the softer short-term outlook, several market participants remain cautiously optimistic about the final quarter of the year. One trader said any meaningful recovery would require stronger residential construction activity together with improving consumer confidence across Europe.<\/p>\n Another supplier noted that a sustained increase in lumber consumption remains the missing element for the market. Until construction demand begins to recover, European softwood lumber prices are expected to remain broadly stable, with negotiations continuing to favor buyers over producers.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" European softwood lumber prices remained largely stable in May, but market participants increasingly describe demand as weaker than expected, with many buyers continuing to rely on inventories accumulated earlier this year rather than placing significant new orders. The absence of … Continue reading \n\n
\n \nMarket<\/th>\n Product<\/th>\n March<\/th>\n April<\/th>\n May<\/th>\n May vs Apr<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n Germania<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n <\/td>\n Spruce 44-50\u00d7150 mm<\/td>\n 315-330<\/td>\n 320-340<\/td>\n 320-340<\/strong><\/td>\n 0.0%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n <\/td>\n Spruce 63\u00d7150 mm<\/td>\n 310-330<\/td>\n 315-340<\/td>\n 315-340<\/strong><\/td>\n 0.0%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n <\/td>\n Spruce 50\u00d7100 mm<\/td>\n 310-325<\/td>\n 315-330<\/td>\n 315-330<\/strong><\/td>\n 0.0%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Fran\u021ba<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n <\/td>\n Spruce 44-50\u00d7150 mm<\/td>\n 295-330<\/td>\n 300-335<\/td>\n 300-335<\/strong><\/td>\n 0.0%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n <\/td>\n Spruce 63\u00d7150 mm<\/td>\n 290-325<\/td>\n 295-330<\/td>\n 295-330<\/strong><\/td>\n 0.0%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n <\/td>\n Spruce 50\u00d7100 mm<\/td>\n 290-325<\/td>\n 295-330<\/td>\n 295-330<\/strong><\/td>\n 0.0%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Benelux<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n <\/td>\n Spruce 47\u00d7150 mm<\/td>\n 305-325<\/td>\n 310-330<\/td>\n 310-330<\/strong><\/td>\n 0.0%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n <\/td>\n Spruce 50\u00d7100 mm<\/td>\n 305-320<\/td>\n 310-330<\/td>\n 310-330<\/strong><\/td>\n 0.0%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n <\/td>\n Planed construction timber 50\u00d775 mm<\/td>\n 360-380<\/td>\n 365-390<\/td>\n 365-390<\/strong><\/td>\n 0.0%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n United Kingdom<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n <\/td>\n Spruce 44-50\u00d7150 mm<\/td>\n 300-315<\/td>\n 300-315<\/td>\n 300-315<\/strong><\/td>\n 0.0%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n <\/td>\n Spruce 50\u00d7100 mm<\/td>\n 295-315<\/td>\n 295-315<\/td>\n 295-320<\/strong><\/td>\n +0.8%<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n <\/td>\n Pine 50\u00d7150 mm<\/td>\n 305-330<\/td>\n 310-335<\/td>\n 310-335<\/strong><\/td>\n 0.0%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n <\/td>\n Pine 38\u00d7150 mm<\/td>\n 285-305<\/td>\n 285-310<\/td>\n 285-310<\/strong><\/td>\n 0.0%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n <\/td>\n Pine 25\u00d7100 mm<\/td>\n 230-245<\/td>\n 230-245<\/td>\n 230-245<\/strong><\/td>\n 0.0%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n