The Global Forest Industry This Quarter

The Global Forest Industry This Quarter

Excerpts from the 3Q 2012 issue of the Wood Resource Quarterly (www.woodprices.com)

The Global Sawlog Price Index (GSPI) fell for the fifth consecutive quarter to $81.94/m3.

The Softwood Wood Fiber Price Index (SFPI), which is based in US dollars, was down another 0.5 percent from the 2Q/12 to US$100.05/odmt. Hardwood Wood Fiber Price Index (HFPI) increased by $1.56/odmt from the 2Q/12 price to $106.44/odmt in the 3Q/12.

Softwood pulp (NBSK) prices have trended downward for more than a year from their record highs in the summer of 2011. Hardwood pulp (BHKP) prices have not experienced the same price fall as NBSK prices.

Despite the weakening markets for lumber, six of the ten largest lumber-exporting countries in the world have shipped more lumber this year than last year.

North American lumber production rose for the third straight quarter in the 3Q/12.

The importation of softwood lumber to China in September was down for the fourth consecutive month to 1.14 million m3, a decline of 14 % from September 2011.

Pellet exports from the US South to Europe rose 13 % in the 2Q/12 from the previous quarter; almost a doubling in one year.
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