As expected by log traders, Germany's beech log exports in June were well above the previous year. Export prices averaged over all countries were at € 86 per m³ (+0.4%). From January to June, an average price of € 96 per m³ (-1.7%) can be calculated from the statistics of the German Federal Statistical Office, Destatis.
The situation of the European forest machinery manufacturers has improved steadily since summer 2009. In Sweden, still the largest market for harvesters and forwarders, current sales have almost returned to normal levels.
This report contains prices of logs, wooden beams, veneer, plywood, solid wood flooring and other items from timber markets in several Chinese regions: Jiashan Kaihua, Shanghai Furen...
The thunderstorms Asta (7/29,30/2010) and Veera (8/4/2010) caused up to 3 million cubic meters of storm-fallen timber in Finland. Both storms marked the end of weeks with record temperatures. Damages caused by storm Asta are particularly in Southeast Finland and Central Finland, while Veera hit the southwest and also the central part of Finland.
In Austria wood pellet prices were stable in August. According to the price survey of ProPellets Austria, prices for bulk goods in August were at € 206 per tonne, the same level they were in July.
Much earlier than last year, this year's order season for hardwood logs and sawlogs will start. Tentative orders in the last season and constraints during the log harvest due to the harsh winter of 2009/2010 have reduced wet storages at mills quickly.
Pfleiderer AG, Germanys biggest producer of engineered wood products, could tie in with the positive trend in its first quarter and increased sales by 7.3% to € 381.4 million in the second. In the first half of the year, sales of the wood-based panel manufacturer amounted to € 737 million, up 6.4% from the reference period a year earlier.
Austria's paper industry is gathering way again. Compared to the first half of 2009, first six months of 2010 showed a growth in production of paper and cardboard of more than 11%, according to preliminary figures.
Positive development of sales and earnings continued in the 2nd Quarter, Klenk Holz AG reported a few days ago. In the first half of 2010 group sales of the German sawmill and wood processor rose by 23% from a year earlier to approximately € 182 million.
