The Global Forest Industry This Quarter
Excerpts from the 2Q 2012 issue of the Wood Resource Quarterly (www.woodprices.com)
The Global Conifer Sawlog Price Index (GSPI) declined in the 2Q/12 for the fourth consecutive quarter to $82.90/m3, down 3.4% from previous quarter.
The Softwood Wood Fiber Price Index (SFPI) fell by 4.1% from the 1Q/12 to $100.54/odmt, which was a continuation of a declining trend that started in the 3Q/11.
The Hardwood Wood Fiber Price Index (HFPI) was down 4.4% from 1Q/12 to US$104.88 and down for the third consecutive quarter since the all-time high in the 3Q/11.
Softwood market pulp (NBSK) prices in the 2Q/12 have fallen dramatically from a year ago. The price also fell for
hardwood pulp (BHKP) but not as steeply as for NBSK.
In May, lumber consumption in the US was 13% higher than in the same month last year.
Pine lumber prices in the US South have gone up almost 35 % this year, while spruce-pine-fir (SPF) prices in Canada have increased by about 30 %.
China’s importation of softwood lumber increased in the 2Q/12.
Sawmills in Finland and Sweden increased exports year-over-year by almost 10% the first five months of 2012.
In the 2Q/12, woody biomass prices were down between 2-10% in the key biomass-consuming region of the US as compared to the 1Q/12.
North American shipments of pellets to Europe continue to steadily increase, reaching a new high in the 1Q/12.
The full article can be found in the attached PDF file.....
ENDS