Moscow, Jun 10, 2009. /Lesprom Network/. In May, Russian roundwood prices fell 0.3% on the average, as reported by the Analytic Service of Lesprom Network. Average price of one cubic meter of softwood sawlog (pine, spruce) with a diameter of 16-30 cm and length of 4-6 m in May was 4% higher than in April, one cubic meter of hardwood sawlog (birch) with a diameter of 16-30 cm and a length of 3-6 m depreciated by 0.7% in May. One cubic meter of spruce pulpwood (length: 4 m, diameter: 6-16 cm (1st, 2nd and 3rd grade) was 2.6% cheaper on the average. Price of one cubic meter of pine pulpwood (length: 4-6 m, diameter: 6-16 cm (1st, 2nd and 3rd grade) decreased by 4.1% in May, one cubic meter of birch pulpwood (length: 4-6 m, diameter: 6-16 cm (1st, 2nd and 3rd grade) lost 0.3% in price. In May, roundwood spot market saw different trends. Prices for sawlog began to stabilize: average appreciation of raw wood in May was only 1.8%. Producers relate this to increase of sawnwood demand with the start of the construction season. Prices for pulpwood fell by 2.3% on the average, which is mostly due to the fact that pulp and paper mills do not make large procurements. In the Siberian federal district, roundwood prices decreased. Harvesting companies mote that there is demand, but due to consumers’ incapability to strike advance payment deals, contracts are not concluded at all. In the Ural federal district, producers note stabilization of prices and demand for sawlog due to the seasonal factor, however, selling pulpwood is still a challenge. In the North-Western federal district, May saw growth of roundwood prices. This is primarily due to increased demand for raw wood. In the Central federal district, sawlog was growing in price this month, while pulpwood, on the contrary, was cheapening. In the Volga federal district, harvesting companies note an unsteady demand and payment delays. Many producers stopped striking deals that do not entail 100% advance payment. Analytic Department of Lesprom Network specializes in forest industry market research. The department gathers statistic data on timber processing and pulp & paper companies. Among Lesprom Network clients are largest Russian and foreign timber industry and investment companies.