Global Pulpwood Price Indices down almost 10% in 12 months

Article by Robert Spannlang, edited for Timber-Online | 01.04.2016 - 08:03

Both hard- and softwood currently at the lowest levels in over ten years

The hardwood price index (HFPI) fell over 2% from the 3Q 2015 to a level that was almost 10% lower than in the 4Q 2014 with the biggest declines being seen in Brazil, Chile, Russia, France, Germany and Indonesia, reports Wood Resource Quarterly. Pulplog prices throughout Europe have also dropped quite substantially the past few years but remain among the highest in the world.

With the exception of the US South and New Zealand, softwood fiber prices were also down throughout the world in the 4Q 2015. The declines ranged between 2% to 10% from the previous quarter. The softwood price index (SFPI) was US$88.46/odmt – a reduction of 1.4% from the previous quarter and 7.5% lower than the same quarter in 2014. Both the SFPI and HFPI are currently at the lowest levels in over ten years.