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As Global Demand Relaxes, Where Do Wood Markets Stand in Q1 2023?

As Global Demand Relaxes, Where Do Wood Markets Stand in Q1 2023?

Wood Resources International, a ResourceWise company, continually monitors pricing trends across the forest products supply chain. With relaxing world demand in many areas, where do major price benchmarks stand in the first quarter of 2023?

Global Timber Markets See Some Drop from Record Highs

Demand for lumber was down worldwide in the 4th quarter of 2022, relaxing prices for sawlogs down from record highs.

The Global Sawlog Price Index (GSPI) has fallen for two consecutive quarters from its all-time high in the 2nd quarter of 2022. The most significant decreases occurred in Western North America, the Baltic States, Central Europe, and Eastern Asia.  

The Euro-denominated European Sawlog Price Index (ESPI) also fell in late 2022. Despite the six percent decline in six months, current sawlog prices are still close to their highest levels in over 20 years.

Global Wood Fiber Markets: Hardwood Index Growing Much Faster Than Softwood

The Global Hardwood Fiber Price Index grew faster than the softwood fiber price index, increasing 27% over two years.

WRI's two global wood fiber price indices have trended upward for 2.5 years and were at eight-year highs in the 4th quarter of 2022.

Global Pulp Markets Decreases as Paper Demand Relaxes

Pulp prices in Europe and North America fell by 5-15% from September 2022 to early 2023 as global paper demand weakened.

The Nordic countries accounted for 60% of Europe's total pulp exports in 2022, an increase from accounting from less than 50% in 2013.

Global Lumber Markets See Slumps in North American Regions

Lumber production was down year-over-year (YoY) in three of the four major North American regions in 2022.

Almost 38% of North America's lumber is currently produced in the US South. This represents a record-high share following 13 consecutive years of increased output from the region's sawmills.

In 2022, the Nordic export markets were mixed, with strengthening demand for Swedish lumber in the US China and the MENA region. Finland was the only country in northern Europe that reduced shipments in 2022.

Demand for lumber fell in Germany in 2022, resulting in a 34% YoY decline in softwood lumber imports.

Lumber import prices in China fell about seven percent during 2022. the most significant declines came for lumber shipped from Finland, Sweden, and Canada.  

The estimated lost value for Russia’s reduction in lumber exports in 2022 was about $1 billion.

Global Biomass Markets Change Up with Asian Share Much Higher

Asia increased its share of global wood pellet imports to a record 32% in the 4th quarter of 2022.

European residential and industrial wood pellet prices fell in early 2023 following all-time highs at the end of 2022.

Global Pricing Insights from Wood Resources International

Wood Resources International offers key insights, pricing data, and market intelligence for subscribers with its interactive online platform, WoodMarket Prices (WMP).

The pricing data service, established in 1988, has subscribers in over 30 countries. WMP tracks prices for sawlog, pulpwood, lumber & pellets and reports on trade and wood market developments in most key regions worldwide.

The WMP platform provides a unique and valuable tool for every company and organization that requires updates on the latest developments of global forest products markets.

To learn more and to schedule a demo of WoodMarket Prices, contact the team at ResourceWise today.

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