Softwood sawlog prices have risen faster in Europe than in any other region of the world during the past two years, according to Wood Resource Quarterly (WRQ).
Prices increased by 40-60% in US dollar terms during the period, due to higher costs in the local currency and because of a weaker US dollar.
In European currencies, the price rises are as a result of reduced log exports from Russia, higher fuel costs and strong lumber markets.
Sawmills in Sweden and Poland have the lowest wood costs in Europe, while Germany and Austria continue to be the highest cost markets with sawlogs more than 40% above the world average price.
The WRQ Global Softwood Sawlog Price fell for the first time in almost three years during the first quarter of 2008. It had reached an all-time high of US$91.85/m³ in the fourth quarter last year but then fell due to lower log prices in North America and Nordic countries.
