Finnish sawmill industry: Log prices outpace wood product prices, market remains weak

The production of softwood lumber reached 8.1 million cubic meters between January and September, a 1% increase compared to the previous year. Over the last 12 months, cumulative production totaled 10.5 million cubic meters. For sawmill companies, which export around 80% of their production, raw material costs are the largest expense. The stumpage price of logs in August was 18% higher than a year earlier, while export prices for lumber increased by only 5% during the same period. Since 2010, log prices have risen 40% more than lumber prices. "Log prices remain very high, even though ...