Lumber exports by Russia have fallen for two consecutive quarters, with first quarter 2016 shipments being almost ten percent lower than in the third quarter of 2015. Only China and Japan increased their purchases.

SEATTLE, Wash. - The Global Sawlog Price Index (GSPI) continued its two-year decline in the 4Q/15 when the Index fell another 4.8% quarter-over-quarter, as reported in the Wood Resource Quarterly. In just two years, the GSPI has fallen 21.6% both because of a strengthening US dollar and lower demand for lumber in Asia, the MENA countries and in Europe.

Sharp reductions of sawlog prices in Russia, Brazil, Central Europe and Western Canada in 2015 due to weaker lumber demand and currencies reduced trade of logs, reports the Wood Resource Quarterly. European sawlog prices have fallen faster than prices in most other regions.

The European Sawlog Price Index (ESPI) has declined by almost seven percent in 18 months and in the 3Q/15, was at its lowest level in five years, according to the Wood Resource Quarterly. Since early 2014, sawlog prices in Europe have fallen faster than in most other lumber-producing countries around the world.

Sawlog prices have fallen by 15-20% in a majority of the countries manufacturing softwood lumber the past 12 months, according to the Wood Resource Quarterly. In North America, prices were down only 7 percent because of healthy US domestic lumber demand and respectable log export volumes from both the US and Canada.

In July 2015, prices for overseas traded hardwood chip were 14% below their peak four years ago, according to the latest FOEX Chip Price Indexes.

Lack of domestic forest resources has forced the pulp industry in India to increasingly rely on hardwood chips from overseas for its wood fiber needs, reports the Wood Resource Quarterly.

Prices for overseas traded softwood wood chips have fallen 11% in eight months, while hardwood chip prices have increased slightly, according to the latest FOEX Chip Price Indexes.

Prices for overseas traded softwood wood chips have fallen 11% in eight months, while hardwood chip prices have increased slightly, according to the latest FOEX Chip Price Indexes

Wood pellet exports from the US increased for the 12th consecutive quarter in the 4Q/14, as compared to Canadian exports which trended downward in 2014, according to the North American Wood Fiber Review.