Large volumes of storm and insect damaged trees in Germany have resulted in an oversupply of logs and declining sawlog prices in 2018 and 2019, reports the WRQ.
Wood fiber costs for softwood pulp manufacturers in 16 countries have gone up the past two years
Wood fiber costs for softwood pulp manufacturers in 16 countries have gone up the past two years, and as a result, in the 1Q/19, the SFPI price index reached its highest level in five years, reports the WRQ
The Global Sawlog Price Index fell 1.8% in the 1Q/19 to its lowest level in two years
Sawlog prices declined the most in Central Europe, Western US and Russia, reports the WRQ
China’s imports of US forest products fell by 430 million dollars in the first four months of 2019
The US market share fell by 35%, while Canadian and Russian exporters have increased their shares since 2018, reports the Wood Resource Quarterly
Global trade of softwood lumber increased in the 1Q/19
Global trade of softwood lumber increased in the 1Q/19, US lumber prices were substantially lower than in early 2019 and Russian lumber exports are on the rise, reports the Wood Resource Quarterly
The Global Forest Industry in the 1Q/2019
The global flow of softwood logs from countries with a surplus of wood rawmaterial to regions with tight, or costly log supply, and higher consumption of forest products continued to expand for the third consecutive year in 2018.
Pulpwood prices in North America were 5-10% higher in the 1Q/19 than the 1Q/18
Pulpwood prices in North America were 5-10% higher in the 1Q/19 than the 1Q/18, with prices in the US South having increased the most due to challenging weather conditions, as reported by the North American Wood Fiber Review
Over 22 million tons of wood pellets were shipped globally in 2018, up 21% from 2017
The US, Canada, Vietnam, Latvia and Russia, accounted for 69% of global exports in 2018, reports the North American Wood Fiber Review
Sawmill profit margins fell substantially in North America during the second half of 2018 after reaching record highs in the 2Q/18
Softwood lumber prices have generally fallen faster than the costs for sawlogs throughout the world in late 2018, resulting in lower margins for the sawmilling sector, according to the WRQ.
WRI’s global wood fiber prices indices reached four-year highs in the 4Q/18
WRI’s global wood fiber prices indices reached four-year highs in the 4Q/18 as the costs for wood chips and pulplogs have moved upward in most of the 19 world regions tracked by the Wood Resource Quarterly
Log imports to China reached another record high in 2018, with New Zealand supplying 44% of the volume
China is continuously exploring new sources of softwood logs around the world. Minor log exporters, such as Japan, Poland, Chile and South Africa all expanded their shipments to China in 2018, reports the WRQ.
Global Timber and Wood Products Market Update
Global softwood lumber trade fell 7% in 2018, US lumber prices took a roller coaster ride and China’s wood demand slowed in the 2H/18, reports the Wood Resource Quarterly
The Global Forest Industry in the 4Q/2018
In early 2018, the Global Sawlog Price Index (GSPI) reached $80.73/m3, its highest level since 2014.