Finnish timber procurement from forests “stable”

Timber procurement from Finnish private forests is “stable” with robust demand expected in the closing part of the year, says the Finnish Forest Industries Federation (FFIF).

The forest industry purchased 2.9 million m³ of wood in October, matching volumes in September.

The January-October aggregate purchase volume stands at 20.7 million m³. Sawlogs accounted for 8.4 million m³.

“All timber grades are in good demand,” the FFIF said. “The exceptionally warm weather of this autumn has boosted demand especially for sites that can be harvested when the ground is unfrozen.”

Sawlog stumpage prices remained high compared with long-term averages, with pine sawlogs fetching €55 per m³ and spruce sawlogs costing €56 per m³. Birch sawlogs fetched €42 per m³ on average.