The Global Forest Industry This Quarter

Excerpts from the 1Q 2013 issue of the Wood Resource Quarterly (www.woodprices.com)

• The Global Sawlog Price Index (GSPI) was up 2.4 percent to US$86.33/m3 from the 4Q/12, the biggest quarter-to-quarter increase since early 2011.

The Softwood Wood Fiber Price Index (SFPI) in the 1Q/13 was practically unchanged at $99.90/odmt from the 4Q/12. The Hardwood Wood Fiber Price Index (HFPI) fell by 1.1 % to $103.66/odmt in the 1Q/13, which and was 12 percent below the all-time high in the 3Q/11.

• Prices for softwood pulp (NBSK) have trended upward for six months and were in April about $845/ton in Europe. Hardwood pulp (BHKP) prices have moved up at about the same rate.
Lumber production in the US and Canada improved during 2012 and early 2013, with total output in 2012 being six percent higher than in 2011.

The US lumber price developments during 2012 and into early 2013 have been quite remarkable with the Random Length Lumber Price Index increasing by almost 85 percent from late 2011 to April 2013.

• Lumber imports to China fell 12 percent to 3.3 million m3 from the 4Q/12 to 1Q/13. This was still seven percent higher than in the 1Q/12. Canada and Russia continue to be the major suppliers, accounting for 78 percent of the total imports.

The wood pellet export industry in North America has grown exponentially in a relatively short period of time.
Hakan Ekstrom Wood Resources International LLC Seattle, USA