Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is likely to impact global trade in the coming months. Increased sanctions against trading with Russia and difficulty with financial transactions will probably interrupt and re-direct shipments of forest products throughout the world.

The large softwood timber surplus in the US South is likely to diminish over the next decade, resulting in regional increases in sawlog prices, while prices for pulpwood will remain unchanged

In 2020, wood pellet production in Europe was up 4% y-o-y and was 34% higher than in 2016, according to data just released by the UNECE. Despite this increase, production has not kept up with consumption, resulting in higher net imports to the continent over the past few years.

Softwood pulpwood saw higher price increases worldwide than hardwood pulpwood, resulting in the widest margin between the two fiber sources in 14 years

Softwood sawlog prices have gone up in 21 of 22 WRQ regions worldwide in the past year. By far, the most significant increases have occurred throughout Europe and British Columbia.

The strong lumber markets in North America and Europe resulted in higher sawlog prices in most parts of the world in early 2021.

The Global Sawlog Price Index rose 8% in the 4Q/20 as demand for logs was up in North America and Europe

Germany’s export value of logs and lumber has increased 63% the past five years, reaching 2.5 billion dollars in 2020

The forecasted growth in wood pellet production in Europe will increase competition for wood fiber and require new feedstock sources

The Global Sawlog Price Index rose 8% in the 4Q/20 as demand for logs increased throughout North America and Europe.

Times have been good for lumber producers in 2020, with profitability rising worldwide. Most countries tracked by the Wood Resource Quarterly have had their highest gross margins in at least two years, with North America standing out as the continent with the most spectacular profit improvements.

Lumber trade fell slightly in Europe in 2020. During the first eight months, shipments from the major exporting countries were down 1.2% - the first y-o-y decline in eight years, reports the WRQ.

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