The average purchase prices of round timber in Latvia increased in the 2nd half of the year, compared to the 1st half of 2017, as the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) said in the press release received by Lesprom Network.
Within the coniferous tree sector, the greatest rise was observed in purchase prices of pine sawlogs in diameter under 14 cm, while within deciduous tree sector – in purchase prices of birch veneer logs of category A.
Compared to the 1st half, in the 2nd half of 2017 the most notable rise within the coniferous tree sector was observed in purchase prices of black alder sawlogs in diameter over 24 cm (of 11% or 5 Euro/m3) and asp sawlogs in diameter 18–24 cm (10%, or 3 Euro/m3).
Smaller increase was observed in purchase prices of birch sawlogs in diameter 18–24 cm (of 5%, or 2 Euro /m3) and asp sawlogs in diameter over 24 cm (4%, or 2 Euro /m3). Slight reduction was recorded in purchase prices of birch sawlogs in diameter over 24 cm (of 1%) and black alder sawlogs in diameter 18–24 cm (1%).
Rise in prices of round timber of all assortments might be related to the rainy summer and autumn of 2017 when weather conditions hindered logging and transportation of sawlogs from forest. This resulted in difficulties of logging enterprises to fulfil their contractual obligations to deliver the timber. The high demand for raw materials by timber processing enterprises in local and global timber market contributed to the round timber purchase price increase in Latvia.
