European Sawmills Profitability is Being Squeezed by High Log Costs and Declining Lumber Prices
Summary
The biggest declines in volume came in Austria, Finland and Sweden, while lumber production in Germany and Romania bucked the general trend and increased last year.Total exports by the four largest lumber-producing countries in Europe, Sweden, Germany, Austria and Finland, have been slightly higher the first eight months of 2010 as compared to the same period last year.The high operating rates at many sawmills in Europe the past year have resulted in increased costs of logs throughout the continent.The biggest declines in volume came in Austria, Finland and Sweden, while lumber production in Germany and Romania bucked the general trend and increased last year.The report, established in 1988 and with subscribers in over 25 countries, tracks sawlog, pulpwood, lumber and pellet prices in key regions around the world and also includes regular updates of the latest developments in international timber, pulp, lumber and biomass markets.Contact InformationWood Resources International LLCHakan Ekstrominfo@wri-ltd.comwww.woodprices.com###