Japanese Log Imports Fell 34% in 2008 – US Replaces Russia as the Leading Supplier to Japan
Importation of logs to Japan has declined for four consecutive years and was in 2008, 34 percent lower than the previous year and 50 percent lower than in 2004, reports the Wood Resource Quarterly. Practically the entire decline from 2007 has been that of Russian shipments and the US has now become the leading supplier of logs to Japan. - May 24, 2009
The Forest Industry in Finland Dramatically Reduces Its Dependence on Logs from Russia in 2008, Reports the Wood Resource Quarterly
Finland imported 24 percent fewer logs from Russia in the 4Q/08 as compared to the same quarter in 2007. With the uncertainty surrounding the log export taxes and timber market conditions in Russia, it is likely that the Finnish forest industry will rely less on Russian timber in the future, reports Wood Resource Quarterly. - April 29, 2009
Wood Fiber Costs Fell in the US South and the US Northwest in the 1Q/09 as Pulpmills Were Taking Extensive Downtime, Reports WRI
Wood fiber costs have diminished in all regions of the US this year as the decline in fiber demand by the pulp industry has been greater than the reduction of residual chips supply from the sawmilling sector. The past six months, pulpwood costs have fallen about 10% in the US South and 20% in the US Northwest, according to the North American Wood Fiber Review. - April 15, 2009
Vietnam’s Rapidly Expanding Plantation Resources Are Becoming an Important Supply Source for Pulpmills in Japan and China, Reports WRQ
Vietnam is now one of the most important suppliers of plantation Eucalyptus and Acacia wood chips to the pulp industry in both Japan and China. The country has expanded shipments gradually over the past six years and is now the world’s fourth largest hardwood chip exporter, reports the Wood Resource Quarterly. - April 03, 2009
Wood Chip Prices Fell in Canada in the 1Q/09 as Pulpmills Reduced Their Operating Rates Substantially, Reports WRI
Many Canadian pulpmills ran at operating rates of less than 70 percent in the 1Q/09. As a result, wood chip prices fell in most provinces with the biggest declines occurring in British Columbia and Alberta. The western provinces had the lowest wood chip prices in North America in the 1Q, according to the North American Wood Fiber Review. - April 02, 2009
Decline in Global Demand for Forest Products Reduces Timber Prices in China, Reports WRQ
Sawlog prices in China declined for the first time in three years in the 4Q/08 because of reduced demand for lumber, panels and paper products both domestically and from export markets, reports Wood Resource Quarterly. - March 26, 2009
Expanding Timber Plantation Resources in Uruguay Attract Pulpmill Investments from European Forest Companies, Reports Wood Resource Quarterly
Favorable timber growing conditions, a good business climate and a stable political environment has attracted a number of European forest companies to invest in Uruguay the past few years. The establishment of fast-growing Eucalyptus and pine plantations could eventually support two or three new pulpmills, according to the WRQ. - March 12, 2009
Increase in Demand for Wood Pellets Pushed Prices Upward in Europe in the 4Q/08, Reports WRQ
Wood pellet prices in Europe has trended upward the past six years reaching record levels in the 4Q/08 as demand stays strong, reports Wood Resource Quarterly. - March 08, 2009
Global Wood Fiber Prices in the 4Q/08 Experienced the Largest Drop in Over 20 Years, According to the Wood Resource Quarterly
The WRQ Global Average Wood Fiber Price Indices recorded their sharpest quarterly decline since their inception in 1988, as wood fiber consumption by struggling pulp and paper industries decreased worldwide in the 4Q/08. - March 04, 2009
Wood Pellet Producers Are Increasingly Competing with Pulp Manufacturers for Wood Fiber, Reports WRQ
The global wood pellet industry has developed remarkably fast, evolving from being practically non-existent 15 years ago to being an important wood fiber consumer which is increasingly competing with pulp and wood-panel industry for wood raw-material. - February 27, 2009
Pulpmills in Western Canada Had the Lowest Wood Costs in North America in the 4Q 2008, Reports WRI
The forest industry continues to struggle in Canada with many forest companies making the difficult decisions to close plants permanently, thus laying off thousands of people in pulpmills, OSB mills and sawmills throughout the country, reports the North American Wood Fiber Review. In addition to... - February 26, 2009
Gloomy Pulp Markets Results in Falling Wood Fiber Prices in the US, Reports WRI
The fourth quarter was a gloomy quarter for the forest industry in North America. Every price indicator pointed downward, including prices of pulp, lumber, wood chip, pulpwood and biomass, as reported in the latest issue of the North American Wood Fiber Review. - January 28, 2009
Sawlog Prices Fell 5-12% Worldwide in the 3Q/08 as Lumber Markets Weakened, Reports WRQ
Reduced consumption of lumber in North America and Europe in the 3Q/08 resulted in lower demand for sawlogs and declining prices for softwood timber, according to the Wood Resource Quarterly (WRQ). Because wood costs account for 65-75% of the production costs when producing softwood lumber, they are the key factor determining a regions or company’s competitiveness. - January 23, 2009
Wood Costs Fell for Many Pulpmills Worldwide in the 3Q 2008, Reports WRQ
Wood fiber costs, the cost component that often determines a pulp manufacturer’s competitiveness, fell for the first time in many years in practically all major pulp-producing regions around the world in the 3Q/08, according to the market report Wood Resource Quarterly (WRQ). This drop was the result of two main factors: a strengthening US dollar against most major currencies combined with a reduced demand for pulpwood. - January 14, 2009
Sawlog Prices Increase in China in 3Q 2008 as Log Supply Tightens, Reports WRI
The domestic sawlog market in China has tightened as a result of reduced log imports from Russia in 2008. The increased competition for logs has pushed log prices upward to record highs in the 3Q 08, according to Wood Resources International. - December 01, 2008
Log Costs Fell in Russia in the 3Q/08 as the Forest Industry Cut Back Production, Reports WRI
The Russian timber market has gone through a roller coaster ride the past year, with log costs reaching record highs in the 4Q of last year and then falling to two-year lows in the 3Q/08. Topping off the dramatic events was the announcement by PM Putin last week that the long-awaited log export tax, which would practically cease log exports in January, will be postponed for 9-12 months. - November 18, 2008
Canadian Pulpmills Are Paying Higher Wood Costs as Supply Tightens, WRI Reports
Softwood wood fiber prices are currently close to a 12-year high in British Columbia, according to the market report North American Wood Fiber Review. As chip prices in BC tend to follow pulp prices, wood costs have remained practically unchanged in 2008, but were over 30% higher in the 3Q/08 than they were two years ago. - October 08, 2008
Pulpmills in the US Northwest Continue to Have Higher Wood Costs as Compared to the US South Despite Substantial Price Declines in the 3Q, Reports WRI
Wood fiber costs for pulpmills in western US fell substantially in the 3Q/08 after having reached a 13-year record-high in the previous quarter as reported in the latest issue of the North American Wood Fiber Review. - October 01, 2008
Russian Log Export Taxes Will Raise Unemployment in Russia Reports WRI
The Russian Federal Government is trying to assist development of its forest industry by adding export taxes on logs, thereby limiting competition by foreign companies for the Russian timber, as reported by Wood Resource Quarterly. These taxes are currently 25% of the log value (minimum €15/m3) for softwood logs and are scheduled to increase to a minimum of €50/m3 (about US$78/m3) from January 2009. - September 23, 2008
Global Timber Markets Impacted by Russian Log Export Taxes Says WRI
With the impetus provided by the Russian government, which has implemented regulations that restrict open trade of logs, Russia is slowly transforming from being a large exporter of logs to an important producer of primary processed wood products, as reported by the Wood Resource Quarterly - September 05, 2008
Wood Costs Increased for Pulpmills Worldwide in the 2Q 2008 as Reported by WRI
Wood fiber costs, the major cost component when producing wood pulp, increased in practically all major pulp-producing regions around the world in the 2Q/08, according to the market report Wood Resource Quarterly (WRQ). This was both a result of a continued weakening of the US dollar against most major currencies and because of higher transport costs for both pulpwood and wood chips. - August 23, 2008
Sawlog Prices Rebound in Russia During the 2Q of 2008, Reports Wood Resources International
Wood Resource Quarterly reports that softwood sawlog prices increased in Russia during the 2Q, in contrast to the sharp decline noted during the 1Q. Contrary to earlier price movements, this time it was the domestic market rather than the export market that was the main price driver as the housing market in western Russia strengthened substantially. - August 21, 2008
Higher Wood Chip Export Prices in Australia in 2008 as Wood Supply Tightens Around the Pacific Rim
Export prices for both pine and Eucalyptus wood chips have gone up substantially in 2008 in Australia as a result of increased demand in Japan and a tighter supply of wood chips throughout the Pacific Rim region, according to the Wood Resource Quarterly. Australia has become the world’s... - July 16, 2008
Sawlog Prices in Europe Have Grown Faster Than the World Average the Past Two Years
Softwood sawlog prices have gone up faster in Europe than in any other region of the world the past two years, according to Wood Resource Quarterly (WRQ). Because wood costs account for 65-75% of the production costs when producing softwood lumber, they are the key factor determining a regions or company’s competitiveness. - July 03, 2008
Log Costs in Finland Among the Highest in the World in the 1Q/08
The Finnish forest industry has had a tough year. The wood supply has been tight and the country is having some of the highest sawlog and pulpwood costs in the world, according to the market report, the Wood Resource Quarterly (WRQ). - June 13, 2008
Worldwide Trade of Wood Pellets Reached a Record Three Million Tons in 2007
With the increasing demand for woody biomass, global trade of particularly wood pellets has gone up substantially the past few years as reported in the latest issue of the Wood Resource Quarterly. Global trade of wood pellets reached over three million tons in 2007. - June 07, 2008
Global Trade of Woodchips Increased 6% in 2007, Reaching New Records
Pulpmills in both Europe and the Pacific Rim are increasingly sourcing their mills with wood from fast-growing plantations. This has resulted in a major expansion of worldwide trade of both wood chips and pulplogs the past few years, according to the Wood Resource Quarterly. Global trade of wood... - May 28, 2008
Global Pulpwood Prices Reached New Records in 1Q 2008, According to the Wood Resource Quarterly
Tight residual supply, higher fuel costs and unfavourable weather were all factors that pushed wood costs for the world’s pulp industry to new record levels in 1Q/08. Wood costs went up in most of the 17 world regions covered by the market report Wood Resource Quarterly. One country that... - May 22, 2008
Russian Sawlog and Pulpwood Prices Fell 20% in 1Q 2008 as Log Export Taxes Reduced Foreign Shipments, Causing Increased Domestic Supply
Russian domestic log prices fell sharply in the 1Q 2008 from their peak in the 4Q of last year, according to the market report Wood Resource Quarterly. Pine sawlog prices declined 22%, softwood pulpwood prices were down 20% and hardwood pulpwood costs fell just over 15%. The major reasons for the price declines were an improved log supply thanks to favorable logging conditions and a substantial reduction in log exports. - May 09, 2008
Pine Sawlog Prices Were Up in Brazil Despite Lower Demand in the 4Q, Report Says
The export-dependent sawmilling industry in Brazil has been cutting back production in 2007 as shipments to the US fell. With the reduced operating rates, demand for sawlogs declined and timber prices leveled off in the 4Q, according to the market report Wood Resource Quarterly. However, with the strengthening of the Brazilian Real, wood costs continued up to a record high in US dollars terms. - April 24, 2008
Pulpwood Costs Are Going Up in Brazil as Competition for Smaller Logs Increased in 2007, According to Wood Resource Quarterly
Pulpwood costs in Brazil will continue to be record high as competition increases for smaller logs between the pulp, energy and wood panel sectors. Wood costs in the 4Q/07 were almost twice the level of four years ago. - April 18, 2008
Wood Fiber Shortage Reduces Pulp Production in Indonesia in the 4Q
According to the Wood Resource Quarterly, pulpwood costs in Indonesia reached a record high in the 4Q/07 due to police clampdown on illegal logging, which limited the availability of wood fiber. - April 04, 2008
Declining Profitability for Canadian Pulpmills as Wood Costs Increase in Early 2008, According to WRQ
According to the North American Wood Fiber Review, wood chip prices have increased by over 15% in Canada the past year as a result of reduced supply of residual chips from a struggling sawmilling sector. Higher costs for wood fiber and a strengthening Canadian dollar have squeezed profits for Canadian pulp companies and many are considering cutting back production rather than spending more money on high-cost wood chips. - April 03, 2008
Pulpmills in Finland and Sweden Are Increasing Imports of Pulpwood as Domestic Wood Fiber Costs Are Reaching 15-Year Highs in 4Q/07, Report Says.
High wood costs and the prospect of reduced log supply from Russia in the coming years, forces many pulpmills in the Nordic countries to re-evaluate their wood fiber procurement strategies in 2007. Increasing wood chip imports from Latin America and North America together with higher domestic timber harvests can be expected in 2008. - April 01, 2008
First Quarter Wood Chip Costs Up Almost 50% in Western US, But Pulpmills in the US South Experienced Only Small Upward Price Adjustments
The deteriorating housing market in the US is having an increasing impact on the wood fiber costs for the pulp industry in North America. Sawmills, which typically supply the least expensive wood fiber to pulp producers, have reduced the production by over 15% in 2007, thus tightening wood chip supply and forcing pulpmills to increase their usage of expensive roundwood chips. - March 28, 2008
Canadian Pulpmills Less Competitive Because of Increasing 4Q Wood Costs, New Reports Says
Pulpwood costs for Canadian pulpmills have increased by almost 20% in 12 months, according to a new report from Wood Resources International. The higher wood costs and an unfavourable exchange rate make it increasingly difficult for pulpmills in Canada to compete in the global market. - February 18, 2008
Wood Costs for Pulpmills in Western US Higher Than in the US South in 2007
Wood fiber costs, the major cost component when manufacturing pulp, fell sharply in western US in 2007 as fiber supply and demand come in balance towards the end of the year. - February 15, 2008
Worldwide Increase of Wood Costs for the Pulp Industry as Supply Tightens
The wood costs for the world's pulpmills reached a 13-year high in the 4Q/07 as many pulp producers struggled to source their mills with sufficient supply of wood fiber. - February 08, 2008
Global Conifer Sawlog Prices Reaching All-Time Records
Wood costs account for 65-75% of the production costs when manufacturing softwood lumber. In 2007, these costs reached record levels according to the global market report the Wood Resource Quarterly. - January 25, 2008
Global Wood Fiber Prices Up in the 3Q/07
WRQ Global Average Wood Fiber Price 3Q-2007: The average global conifer wood price was up to US$103.26/odmt in the 3Q/07, which was the highest level since 1995. In US dollar terms, conifer wood fiber costs were up in practically all regions tracked by the WRQ except for the US South and US West. - January 19, 2008