Spruce Remains Scarce and Expensive
Spruce remains scarce and expensive on the timber market, even though sawn timber sales are sluggish. Pine is even gaining more attention. The picture is different for beech and firewood.

In Lower Saxony, demand for spruce logs remains higher than supply. Prices for BC mixed-grade timber of grade 2b+ now range from €135 to €140 per cubic meter. Pine also remains in demand as a substitute, despite weaker sawn timber sales. Here, prices for BC timber of grade 2b+ range from €95 to €100 per cubic meter.

The price of pallet wood is rising
The market for larch and Douglas fir is balanced, with prices remaining stable at a high level.

Demand for softwood pallets and industrial lumber also exceeds supply. The price of pallet lumber has risen significantly to between €40 and just under €50 per cubic meter. INK grades are priced at €32 to €33 per cubic meter, while OSB lumber is about €5 higher.

Beechwood in Abundance
In the beechwood market, domestic buyers’ inventories are well-stocked. Surplus volumes are difficult to sell. Exports remain under pressure due to new hygiene requirements and the weak economy in buyer countries. However, significant surpluses have been avoided—in part because many companies have significantly scaled back logging operations since mid-February.

From the suppliers’ perspective, the oak season was generally satisfactory despite the heartwood beetle problem. High-quality grades were particularly in demand and fetched high prices. B and C grades are also being sold at stable prices on par with last year’s levels, within the agreed-upon volumes.

Firewood: High Energy Prices Will Impact the Next Season
The firewood season has come to an end. Commercial and private buyers have stocked up, and prices have remained stable. Due to developments in the energy markets, the upcoming season is expected to start early and feature higher prices.
  
Source: topagrar.com