+370 5 239 3157 
This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Timber Exchange trade statistics July of 2024
2024 08 20
- In July, the State Forest Enterprise (SFE) announced 181 auctions. The auctions were organised by 20 VMU units.
- The SPOT Wood Index recorded an index value of EUR 60,62/solid m3. Comparing the index value with the same period last year, an increase of 20% can be observed. Compared to the previous month, the index increased by 13%.
- Significant price changes were recorded:
- The price of saw logs (birch, spruce, pine) in the B/C grade went down by 10%, from EUR 89,77/solid m3 to EUR 81,28/solid m3 .
- The price of saw logs (birch, spruce, pine) in the D grade increased by 14%, from EUR 70,09/solid m3 to EUR 80,18/solid m3 .
- The price of the packing logs (deciduous, coniferous) grade increased by 11% from EUR 57,90/solid m3 to EUR 64,06 solid m3.
BALTPOOL Timber Price (SPOT) Index
Trade in TOP timber assortments in ETTS short-term auctions
Trade in TOP assortments in ETTS short-term auctions
| Assortments | Quantity, solid m³ | Change in quantity per month | Quantity percentage in the scope of TOP 5 assortments | Price, Eur/solid m³ | Change in price per month | Change in price per year | |
| Baltpool Timber Spot index | Index | 26 870 | -137% | 44.7% | 52.74 | 4.8% | -35% |
| PJ (spruce, pine, birch); B/C; St,Vd; L2, L3 | 1 515 | -77% | 6% | 81.28 | -11% | 1% | |
| PJ (spruce, pine, birch); D; St,Vd; L2, L3 | 6 935 | -47% | 25.8% | 80.18 | 14% | 51% | |
| TR (deciduous, conifers) | 3 550 | -77% | 13.2% | 64.06 | 10% | 28% | |
| PP (spruce, pine, birch) | 3 595 | -72% | 13% | 56.35 | 2% | 11% | |
| PM, ML (class II and III calorific value) | 11 275 | 42% | 42% | 41.75 | 7% | -9% | |
| Felling residues, covered felling residues | 2 400 | 14% | 9% | 26.08 | -7% | -29% | |
Trade in regional units of the State Forest Enterprise in short-term auctions
Timber assortments sold at ETTS short-term auctions
Abbreviations:
KA – felling residues; KAD – covered felling residues; KAK – felling residues at cleared space; KL – hard leafy short timber; ML – firewood; PM – panel timber; PJ – sawn logs; PP – pulpwood; TR – packing logs; St – large-sized timber, small-end diameter ≥32 cm; Vd – medium-sized timber, small-end diameter 20-31 cm; Sm – small-sized timber, small-end diameter ≤19 cm; L1 – assortment length class, ≤2.9 m; L2 – assortment length class, 3.0 – 3.9 m; L3 – assortment length class, 4.0 – 6.0 m; L4 – assortment length class, 6.1 – 8.9 m.
Global timber market
Rebound in U.S. residential construction
In June 2024, the U.S. witnessed a significant rebound in new residential construction, with housing starts increasing by 3.0 percent to an annual rate of 1.353 million. This recovery was driven primarily by a sharp 19.6 percent rise in multi-family starts, although single-family starts declined by 2.2 percent. Experts suggest that while elevated mortgage rates continue to suppress single-family projects, the resilience in the multi-family sector supports the overall construction industry. Future prospects could see an improvement in single-family starts if anticipated Federal Reserve cuts lead to lower mortgage rates.
Impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on global forest products
A study assessing the effects of the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine predicts significant disruptions in the global forest products market. In the short term, trade sanctions and military operations are expected to increase prices and alter the production and trade dynamics for wood products. Over the long term, while some recovery in Russian markets is projected, the markets for wood-based panels and paper in both Russia and Ukraine may face lasting changes. This conflict highlights the profound economic and environmental implications war can have on international trade and industry stability.
Metsä Fibre’s negotiations on layoffs
Metsä Fibre, a division of the Metsä Group, has initiated negotiations that could lead to layoffs at its Lappeenranta and Vilppula sawmills in Finland. The potential layoffs, involving around 170 employees, are a response to decreased delivery volumes and could last up to 90 days, executed in several phases by the end of January 2025. This move reflects the broader challenges faced by the industry, including adjustments to production capacities to align with current market demands.
Poland’s proposed ban on wood exports Poland’s woodland management authority has proposed a ban on wood exports to non-EU countries, set to last from 2025 to 2028. This measure aims to conserve domestic wood resources, which currently face a yearly deficit of 3 to 4 million cubic meters. The proposal is part of broader efforts to prioritise local processing and regular customers within the EU, reflecting a strategic shift in Poland’s wood industry management under the new government direction away from previous policies seen during the PiS administration’s term.