In 2020, slight increase in forest regeneration and tending costs observed

Data compiled by the Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia (CSB) show that in 2020, the average forest regeneration costs in Latvia comprised 764–823 EUR/ha, depending on the forest land quality group*. In 2020, these costs constituted 705–860 EUR/ha, while in 2019 those were 509–669 EUR/ha. Forest regeneration costs include expenditure on soil preparation, small sapling expenses and planting costs.

In 2020, the highest forest regeneration costs were recorded in the forests of fourth forest land quality group (823.4 EUR/ha), which is 2.2 % more than a year ago, while the lowest – in forests of first forest land quality group (763.94 EUR/ha), which is 7.0 % more than in 2019.

Average forest regeneration and tending costs by forest land quality group

(EUR/ha, excluding VAT)

In 2020, compared to 2019, the average forest tending costs in Latvia increased in forests of all forest land quality group, but regeneration costs rose in the forests of first, second and fourth forest land quality group, but reduced – in the forests of third forest land quality group.

Growth of total average forest regeneration and tending costs is comprised by rise of labour force costs, prices of forest plants, as well as mechanized forest planting, where costs per unit are larger than when planting forest without mechanization.

In 2020, the average forest tending costs comprised 305–326 EUR/ha. The highest forest tending costs, which include agro-technical tending of forest and tending of young growths, were observed in the forests of first forest land quality group (325.6 EUR/ha, an increase of 39.4 %, compared to 2019) and in the forests of fourth land quality group (310.5 EUR/ha, a rise of 3.3 %, compared to a year ago).

In 2020, compared to 2018, the average harvesting costs of one cubic meter of timber remained at the level of 2019 in final felling, but increased – in intermediate felling. Wood cutting in the intermediate felling is performed by sampling trees, therefore the total harvesting costs in this felling type are higher than in final felling where almost all trees are cut. In the final felling, compared to 2019, the harvesting costs decreased only by 1.3 % and constituted 17.3 EUR/m3. Harvesting costs in the intermediate felling (thinning, reconstructive felling and sanitary clear felling), rose by 5.6 %, reaching 22.0 EUR/m3. The total harvesting costs in final felling and intermediate felling are formed by the labour, transportation, and machinery costs. In 2020, felling dynamics was influenced by timber prices on the market, which, in its turn, affected harvesting costs. As compared to the first half, in the second half of 2020, average purchase price increased both of coniferous and deciduous round timber on average only by 3 – 11 %, depending on the kind of production, therefore, harvesting costs per cubic meter have not changed significantly.

Harvesting costs

 (EUR/m3, excluding VAT)

Methodological explanations
*First forest land quality group includes poor pine forest on wet, pine forest on peat soil.
Second forest land quality group includes pine forest, Callunosa mel., Callunosa turf.mel., Vaccinioso-sphagnosa, Myrtilloso-sphagnosa, Myrtilloso politrichosa, Caricoso-phragmitosa, fen, Filipendulosa.
Third forest land quality group includes pine forest with spruce understorey, rich deciduous forest, Vacciniosa mel., Vacciniosa turf.mel.
Fourth forest land quality group includes Myrtilloso-sphagnosa, spruce forest, rich deciduous forest, Myrtillosa mel., Myrtillosa turf. Mel., Mercurialiosa met., Oxalidosa turf. mel.

Media requests:
Communication Section
E-mail: media@csp.gov.lv
Phone: +371 27880666

More information on data:
Alda Jirgensone
Environment and Energy Statistics Section
E-mail: Alda.Jirgensone@csp.gov.lv
Phone: +371 67366745