Timber prices are rising in some countries around the world

The price for sawn timber is adjusted to SEK 80 (USD 7.6) to SEK 100/m3fub, and for pulpwood it is adjusted to SEK 25 (USD 2.4)/m3fub, which means that softwood pulpwood costs SEK 500 (47.8). /m3fub.

Another example is New Zealand. According to feedback from the country's timber traders, the trend of slight increase in New Zealand log export prices has been maintained from the fourth quarter of 2023 to January 2024.

However, in the view of New Zealand timber traders, if there had not been the impact of the Red Sea crisis, New Zealand log exports might have achieved better prices. But now, the ship needs to go around Africa, adding about 18 days to the voyage.

At the same time, the conflict in the Gaza Strip and the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine have put upward pressure on international oil prices, resulting in an increase in log export charter costs of USD3-4 per cubic meter.

Not only that, according to analysis by industry insiders, in addition to fluctuations in New Zealand log export prices being affected by international shipping rates and international crude oil prices, the supply and demand situation in China's domestic timber market is also an important factor.