Trade of energywood, 4th quarter and year 2024

In 2024, average energywood prices increased significantly from the previous year, although the increase levelled off in the last quarter. In percentage terms prices rose most in standing sales, where the average price of pruned stems rose by 27% year-on-year to EUR 25 per cubic metre and the price of logging residues rose by 43% to almost EUR 11.

The recorded trade volume of energywood increased by one fourth. Volumes increased in standing sales and fairly evenly for pruned stems, logging residues and unpruned stems.

Last quarter of 2024

Prices

• Average prices for pruned stems in the whole country remained close to the level of the previous quarter in the last quarter of 2024. The real average price remained above EUR 26 for standing sales and rose to over EUR 48 for delivery sales.
• The standing sales price of logging residues remained above EUR 14 and the delivery price fell to just over EUR 32.

Trade volumes

• A total of 1.4 million cubic metres of energywood were recorded in the statistics in the last quarter of the year. This was slightly more than a year earlier and almost a third more than the average for the previous five years.

Year 2024

Prices

• In 2024, the average price paid for energywood was EUR 14.5 per cubic metre in standing sales and EUR 42.4 in delivery sales. Compared to the previous year, average standing sales prices increased in real terms by 42% and delivery prices by 12%.
• The average price of pruned stems was EUR 25.0 per cubic metre in standing sales and EUR 47.1 in delivery sales. Prices increased by 27% and 7% respectively compared to the previous year.
• The average standing sales price for logging residues was EUR 10.6 and delivery sales price EUR 32.5. Prices rose by 43% in standing sales and 26% in delivery sales.
• Energywood prices and price changes vary greatly from region to region. For pruned stems, the price difference between price regions in 2024 was at its highest around EUR 9 in standing sales and EUR 12 per cubic metre in delivery sales. The regional classifications used in the statistics on roundwood trade are described in the maps on the statistics pages.

Trade volumes

• The recorded trade in energywood increased by a quarter from the previous year and by two-fifths from the average of the previous five years. The increase was concentrated in standing sales, as the volume of energywood in delivery sales decreased from the previous year. In terms of cubic metres, purchases of pruned stems, logging residues and unpruned stems increased fairly steadily. In percentage terms, trade in unpruned stems increased most.
• Standing sales accounted for four-fifths of trade and delivery sales for one-fifth. Half of all energywood was logging residues and one third was pruned stems. The remainder was almost entirely unpruned stems, as the energy use of stumps is limited.
• In 2024, the statistics included a total of 6.4 million cubic metres of energywood. The published volumes are estimated to cover about half of the energywood purchased from private forests, and the data are not extended to cover all trade in energywood from private forests. Actual harvesting volumes can be found in the statistics on commercial fellings and use volumes in the statistics on wood consumption.

Background information on the statistics

Unit prices in roundwood trade are recorded in the statistical database at the fair prices valid each time. However, price changes are examined in the texts and graphs in real terms by eliminating the change in value using the cost-of-living index (1951:10=100). In the last quarter of 2024, the annual increase in consumer prices was one per cent, and just under two per cent for the whole of 2024.

The recorded prices are based on prices entered in wood trade agreements between the buyers and sellers. Any other increments and services related to wood trade are not included in the statistics. The prices do not include government subsidies.