Trade of energywood, 4th quarter and year 2018

Fourth quarter of 2018: 

• During the fourth quarter, logging residues made up 53 per cent of all energywood trade recorded in statistics. The average price paid for logging residues was EUR 3.8 per cubic metre in standing sales and EUR 15,7 per cubic metre in delivery sales. The price of logging residues increased by six per cent from the previous quarter in standing sales and by one per cent in delivery sales.
• Pruned stemwood made up 35 per cent of all purchased energywood and was the most valuable energywood species. The average price paid for pruned stemwood was EUR 4.5 per cubic metre in standing sales and EUR 24.7 per cubic metre in delivery sales.  The unit price increased by 12 per cent in standing sales and by one per cent in delivery sales.

Year 2018:

• The average price paid for energywood was EUR 3.8 per cubic metre in standing sales and EUR 20,9 per cubic metre in delivery sales. Compared with the previous year, the average price increased by two per cent in standing sales and decreased by three per cent in delivery sales in real terms (deflation: wholesale price index).
• The average price paid for logging residues was EUR 3.7 per cubic metre in standing sales and EUR 15.4 per cubic metre in delivery sales. Compared with the previous year, the price increased by nine per cent in standing sales and decreased by three per cent in delivery sales in real terms.
• The average price paid for pruned stemwood was EUR 4.5 per cubic metre in standing sales and EUR 24.1 per cubic metre in delivery sales. Compared with the previous year, the price decreased by four per cent in standing sales and by one per cent in delivery sales.
• Of all trade recorded in statistics during the year, logging residues made up half and pruned stemwood accounted for 37 per cent, whereas whole trees only covered nine per cent and stumps four per cent. However, the most common energywood species varied according to the trade method: logging residues made up nearly three-fifths in standing sales and pruned stemwood accounted for more than half in delivery sales.
• Energywood trade was active, as the purchase volume recorded in statistics in 2018 was 4.3 million cubic metres. This figure is one-fifth higher than in the previous year and higher than ever since the compilation of statistics started in 2014.
• The development of wood volumes showed differences between trading methods. In standing sales, the purchase volume of all energywood species was at least one-fifth higher than in the previous year, and the total volume increased by 30 per cent. In delivery sales, the volume of pruned stemwood decreased by 14 per cent, driving the total volume to a decrease of five per cent.

Prices and volumes of logging residues and total energywood in delivery sales for the whole of 2018 and for the third and the fourth quarters of 2018 have been revised 21 May 2019.

The recorded prices are based on prices entered in wood trade agreements. Any other increments and services related to wood trade are not included in the statistics.

The recorded prices do not include government subsidies, due to which the prices may also be negative. Subsidy applications for young forest tending were rejected between 7 May 2016 and 19 April 2017, after which applications have been accepted again.