Finnish logs sales return to normal

Finnish logs sales have now recovered to the long-term average, according to the Finnish Forest Industries Federation (FFIF).

The forest industry purchased 5.3 million m³ of wood from private forests in September, while for January to September the figure was 22.1 million m³ – more than four times the amount procured during the corresponding period in 2009.

“Timber sales have been lively after the summer because temporary tax benefits remain in force up to the end of the year,” said Anders Portin, who heads up FFIF’s forests and environment division.

Stumpage prices have also bounced back to pre-storm levels, with softwood log prices up 4-5% in September, compared to the previous month.

Pine logs cost an average of €56 per m³, while spruce logs fetched €57. Birch logs rose 2% to an average of €40 per m³.

FFIF said growing forest industry production volumes in Finland had boosted demand for wood.