Volumes and prices in roundwood trade 2023

The nominal average prices for all roundwood assortments increased significantly in 2023. However, as inflation remained at six per cent, the standing sales prices for spruce and pine logs decreased by one per cent from the previous year in real terms. Pulpwood prices increased unusually high in real terms, ranging from 18 to 23 per cent by tree species in standing sales and from 16 to 18 per cent in delivery sales. The log trade volume decreased by three per cent and pulpwood trade increased by one per cent from the previous year. 

Timber prices

• In 2023, the average price paid for spruce logs purchased from non-industrial private forests in standing sales was EUR 74.8 per cubic metre, and the average price paid for pine logs was EUR 70.7 per cubic metre. The prices decreased by one per cent from the previous year in real terms. 
• In pulpwood standing sales, the average price increased to EUR 27.5 for spruce, to EUR 25.9 for birch, and to EUR 25.1 for pine. The average prices increased from the previous year, ranging from 18 to 23 per cent by tree species. 
• The average purchase price for pulpwood increased to EUR 45.7 for birch, to EUR 45.6 for spruce, and to EUR 44.1 for pine. The average prices increased from the previous year by 16–18 per cent.
• The trend in birch log prices differs significantly from changes in softwood log prices. The average price for birch logs increased by 12 per cent to EUR 57.6 in standing sales and by 17 per cent to EUR 70.1 in delivery sales. 
• In Luke’s wood trade statistics, price changes are examined in real terms so that previous nominal prices are converted into current prices by means of the cost-of-living index. In 2023, as the annual inflation rate was roughly six per cent, the changes in prices in real terms were that much smaller than the nominal changes. 

Average timber prices and changes in them in real terms in 2023

Trade volumes

• In 2023, a total of 41.3 million cubic metres of industrial roundwood purchased from non-industrial private forests were recorded in the wood trade statistics. Of this volume, standing sales accounted for 89 per cent, and delivery sales for 11 per cent. Of all assortments, pine pulpwood and spruce logs were purchased most, each accounting for a quarter of the total wood trade volume. Pine logs accounted for a fifth and birch pulpwood and spruce pulpwood each more than a tenth. Pulpwood accounted for a total of 50 per cent, regular and small logs 48 per cent combined and special wood two per cent of all purchased wood. 
• Log trade decreased by three per cent and pulpwood trade increased by one per cent from the previous year. The total trade volume decreased by one per cent from the previous year, being three per cent below the average for the previous five years. 

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. In 2023, the average inflation rate was around six per cent.

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.

Wood trade data for statistics are provided by the largest buyers of wood and forest management associations. As the information is not rounded up to correspond to the total non-industrial private wood trade in Finland, the published wood volumes only represent about 90 per cent of the wood purchased by forest industries from non-industrial private forests.

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