Sweden softwood lumber exports have slightly increased to 2.8 million sq.m. in the first quarter of 2009 compared with the same quarter of the previous year (+0.5%). The favourable impact of the exchange rate for the Swedish wood industry was noticeable. Average prices have dropped about 14% to 1783 SEK/m3 (169.1 € / m3) for all soft lumber assortments. Planed soft lumber prices declined by 18.7% to 1852 SEK/m3 (175.7 €/m3). In March, pine lumber (raw-rough) reached an average price of 1802 SEK/m3 (171 € / m3, -7.2%) and spruce lumber 1656 SEK/m3 (157.1 € / m3, -4.4%). However, these price reductions will not continue. The processing of 2005’s storm wood from underwater storage is over. The forest administration raised log prices. By the end of May, Central European sawmills had also reported a decrease in pricing pressure from Scandinavia.
Country | I-III 2008 (m3)
|
I-III 2009 (m3) |
Change (%) |
Great Britain | 683.200 | 618.700 | -9.44% |
Netherlands | 249.200 | 253.800 | +1.85% |
Egypt | 238.600 | 240.300 | +0.71% |
Germany | 215.700 | 235.600 | +9.23% |
Denmark | 270.000 | 232.100 | -14.04% |
Japan | 111.500 | 198.300 | +77.85% |
France | 162.600 | 179.800 | +10.58% |
Norway | 218.700 | 157.400 | -28.03% |
Algeria | 62.800 | 136.600 | +117.52% |
Morocco | 54.400 | 83.800 | +54.04% |
Belgium | 77.300 | 78.500 | +1.55% |
USA | 20.100 | 62.500 | +210.95% |
Spain | 91.100 | 53.600 | -41.16% |
Ireland | 62.700 | 49.4200 | -21.53% |