Purchases of industrial roundwood from private forests in Finland declined by 36% in July compared to the same month last year, falling 13% below the five-year average for July. Despite the drop, cumulative purchases for January–July were only 3% lower than last year and remained 10% higher than the five-year average, according to the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke).
In standing sales, the average prices of pine and spruce logs each fell by 2% compared to June, while birch log prices dropped by 4%. Pine logs averaged Euro 82.38 per m3, spruce logs Euro 84.37, and birch logs Euro 66.90. Pulpwood prices also declined: pine and spruce pulpwood fell 4% to Euro 33.44 and Euro 34.93 per m3 respectively, while birch pulpwood decreased 3% to Euro 33.69.
Despite the monthly declines, standing sale prices in July remained 3–10% higher than the average prices recorded for the previous year. In delivery sales, prices held steady or increased. Pine pulpwood averaged Euro 53.29 per m3, spruce pulpwood Euro 55.20, and birch pulpwood Euro 54.01, showing rises of 0–2% compared to June.
For the third consecutive month, purchase volumes were significantly lower than in the previous year. However, high activity earlier in the year kept the overall January–July trade close to last year’s level and above the five-year average.
