Global conifer saw log prices up 17pc in 2010
Tuesday, 29 June 2010
SEATTLE, June 28 (Commodity Online): Global conifer sawlog prices have steadily increased for four consecutive quarters in all major world regions. The Global Sawlog Price Index (GSPI), which is based on quarterly conifer sawlog prices in 19 key regions worldwide, increased from US$65.89/m3 in the 1Q/09 to US$76.77/m3 in the 1Q/10, a climb of almost 17 per cent.
The biggest price increases the past year have occurred in Oceania and Northern Europe, while North America has seen only moderate upward price adjustments.
Sawmills in Central and Northern Europe continue to have the highest wood costs in regions producing softwood lumber. These are also regions that have experienced the biggest price increases the past year.
In Sweden and Germany, spruce sawlog prices were 28 per cent and 15 per cent, respectively, higher in the 1Q/10 than in early 2009, according to the Wood Resource Quarterly.
Sawlog prices in Latvia and the Czech Republic have also gone up the past 12 months as a result of higher operating rates at the regions sawmills. Early in 2010, log prices were up 43 per cent in Latvia and 25 per cent in the Czech Republic as compared to the 1Q/09.
New Zealand exports of logs and lumber in the 1Q/10 were 50 per cent and 18 per cent higher, respectively, than the same quarter last year. The increase in shipments is practically all thanks to the continued strong demand for most forest products in China.
The biggest price increases the past year have occurred in Oceania and Northern Europe, while North America has seen only moderate upward price adjustments.
Sawmills in Central and Northern Europe continue to have the highest wood costs in regions producing softwood lumber. These are also regions that have experienced the biggest price increases the past year.
In Sweden and Germany, spruce sawlog prices were 28 per cent and 15 per cent, respectively, higher in the 1Q/10 than in early 2009, according to the Wood Resource Quarterly.
Sawlog prices in Latvia and the Czech Republic have also gone up the past 12 months as a result of higher operating rates at the regions sawmills. Early in 2010, log prices were up 43 per cent in Latvia and 25 per cent in the Czech Republic as compared to the 1Q/09.
New Zealand exports of logs and lumber in the 1Q/10 were 50 per cent and 18 per cent higher, respectively, than the same quarter last year. The increase in shipments is practically all thanks to the continued strong demand for most forest products in China.