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Roundwood purchase prices fell in H2 2023
Central Statistical Bureau data show that, compared to H1 2023, average purchase prices of both coniferous and deciduous roundwood were reducing in H2 2023. The most significant reduction was recorded in the prices of birch sawlogs 18–24 cm in diameter and black alder sawlogs 18–24 cm in diameter.
In H2 2023, compared to H1 2023, the sharpest drop in the coniferous sawlog segment was registered in the prices of spruce roundwood under 14 cm in diameter (of 17 % or 14 EUR/m3 on average), pine roundwood under 14 cm in diameter (15 % or 14 EUR/m3 on average), and pine roundwood 14–18 cm in diameter (14 % or 13 EUR/m3 on average)1. Smaller drop was recorded in the purchase prices of pine sawlogs 18–26 cm in diameter and pine sawlogs over 26 cm in diameter (9 EUR/m3 on average), spruce sawlogs over 26 cm in diameter (8 EUR/m3on average) and spruce sawlogs 14–18 cm in diameter (7 EUR/m3 on average). The smallest decline was registered in the purchase prices of spruce sawlogs over 26 cm in diameter (7 % or 8 EUR/m3 on average).
In H2 2022 roundwood purchase prices were the highest in the recent years. At the beginning of 2023 global economy was still affected by the complicated geopolitical situation, persistent inflation, and high bank interest rates. Due to the growing construction costs, activity and orders in the sector fell. Wood processing capacity reduced. To avoid losses, producers used the existing stock of sawlogs purchased at a higher price. Falling demand for a timber resulted in lower timber prices on the market. The weather in the spring 2023 was favourable for the spread of the European spruce bark beetle (even to the extent where a national state of emergency was declared), and in the second half of the summer Latvia was struck by a storm. Loggers had to take early pest control measures to prevent establishment of the bark beetles.
Average purchase prices of coniferous sawlogs
(EUR/m3, excluding VAT)
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |||
H1 | H2 | H1 | H2 | H1 | H2 | |
Pine sawlogs |
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Ø under 14 cm | 47.6 | 58.9 | 67.4 | 91.5 | 94.2 | 80.1 |
Ø 14–18 cm | 76.4 | 82.7 | 80.9 | 108.4 | 92.6 | 79.9 |
Ø 18–26 cm | 82.5 | 106.3 | 113.0 | 116.1 | 107.3 | 98.6 |
Ø over 26 cm | 85.8 | 112.5 | 115.4 | 116.2 | 110.4 | 101.5 |
Spruce sawlogs |
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Ø under 14 cm | 46.1 | 51.7 | 65.4 | 80.5 | 85.5 | 71.2 |
Ø 14–18 cm | 74.1 | 86.5 | 90.6 | 96.8 | 93.0 | 85.8 |
Ø 18–26 cm | 78.5 | 106.3 | 114.4 | 111.0 | 107.5 | 99.3 |
Ø over 26 cm | 83.5 | 106.5 | 114.3 | 113.3 | 108.5 | 100.8 |
In H2 2023, compared to H1 2023, the sharpest reduction in the deciduous sawlog segment was registered in the prices of birch roundwood 18–24 cm in diameter (28 % or 35 EUR/m3 on average), black alder sawlogs 18–24 cm in diameter (26 % or 24 EUR/m3 on average), as well as aspen sawlogs over 24 cm in diameter (22 % or 21 EUR/m3 on average) and aspen sawlogs 18–24 cm in diameter (20 % or 16 EUR/m3 on average). Smaller reduction was recorded in the purchase prices of black alder sawlogs over 24 cm in diameter (15 % or 13 EUR/m3 on average) and birch veneer logs of category B (9 % or 12 EUR/m3 on average). A small rise was recorded in the purchase prices of packing timber (5 % or 3 EUR/m3 on average), birch veneer logs of category A (2 % or 3 EUR/m3 on average), and birch sawlogs over 24 cm in diameter (2 % or 2 EUR/m3 on average).
Average purchase prices of deciduous sawlogs, veneer logs and packing timber
(EUR/m3, excluding VAT)
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |||
H1 | H2 | H1 | H2 | H1 | H2 | |
Birch sawlogs |
|
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|
|
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|
Ø 18–24 cm | 47.2 | 51.2 | 82.2 | 109.7 | 124.1 | 89.0 |
Ø over 24 cm | 80.1 | 91.6 | 107.6 | 139.9 | 117.1 | 119.0 |
Black alder sawlogs |
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Ø 18–24 cm | 37.7 | 43.2 | 61.2 | 90.6 | 93.9 | 69.6 |
Ø over 24 cm | 49.4 | 62.2 | 72.0 | 105.5 | 89.1 | 75.9 |
Aspen sawlogs |
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Ø 18–24 cm | 47.9 | 55.6 | 64.7 | 100.1 | 76.2 | 60.6 |
Ø over 24 cm | 61.6 | 74.4 | 90.0 | 110.4 | 98.4 | 77.1 |
Birch veneer logs |
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Category A | 103.1 | 114.7 | 150.9 | 206.1 | 145.0 | 148.3 |
Category B | 79.7 | 83.2 | 109.0 | 143.2 | 140.5 | 128.0 |
Packing timber | 43.6 | 46.5 | 61.9 | 86.1 | 57.2 | 59.8 |
In H2 2023, compared to H2 2022, timber prices on the market, even under the global crises, world economy challenges and instability, were rising in general. The most notable increase in the coniferous sawlog segment was recorded in the purchase prices of spruce sawlogs under 14 cm in diameter (27 % or 34 EUR/m3 on average) and pine sawlogs under 14 cm in diameter (26 % or 35 EUR/m3 on average). Prices of other coniferous sawlogs fell by 1–11 %. The smallest decrease was registered in the purchase prices of spruce sawlogs14–18 cm in diameter (1 % or 7 EUR/m3 on average) while the biggest decrease in the purchase prices of pine sawlogs over 26 cm in diameter (11 % or 2 EUR/m3 on average).
However, purchase prices of deciduous sawlogs were growing during the period. The most significant growth was recorded in the purchase prices of birch sawlogs 18–24 cm in diameter (42 % or 73 EUR/m3 on average), black alder sawlogs 18–24 cm in diameter (38 % or 51 EUR/m3 on average), and birch veneer logs of category B (35 % or 57 EUR/m3 on average). A smaller rise was registered in the purchase prices of birch veneer logs of category A (23 % or 30 EUR/m3 on average), birch sawlogs over 24 cm in diameter (23 % or 26 EUR/m3 on average), and packing timber (22 % or 11 EUR/m3 on average). Purchase prices of other deciduous sawlogs grew by 3–18 %. The smallest increase was registered in the purchase prices of aspen sawlogs over 24 cm in diameter (3 % or 24 EUR/m3 on average).
Methodological information
1 All timber prices are indicated excluding the value added tax (VAT).
Media requests:
Communication Section
E-mail: media@csp.gov.lv
Phone: +371 27880666
More information on data:
Ilva Graudiņa
Environment and Energy Statistics Section
E-mail: Ilva.Graudina@csp.gov.lv
Phone: +371 67366744
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