Estonian timber sector finding it increasingly difficult to compete with Scandinavian countries

While the price of roundwood has come down considerably, which constitutes good news for the Estonian wood industry, prices remain higher in Estonia than neighboring countries. New sawmills are being opened in Scandinavia, while their Estonian counterparts are closing and surrendering market share. A timber market overview for the third quarter reveals that the recession and Estonia's contracting construction market continue to negatively impact the situation. Pine logs have become 30 percent and spruce around 20 percent cheaper on year. Henrik Välja, executive manager of the Estonian Forest and Wood Industries Association, said that lower roundwood ...