Compared to the first half of 2016, in the second half the average purchase prices of round timber kept declining, moreover, price drop has been recorded for the three recent years.
Within the coniferous tree sector, the greatest reduction was observed in purchase prices of pine sawlogs in diameter under 14 cm, within deciduous tree sector – in purchase prices of birch sawlogs in diameter 18-24 cm, according to data from the Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia.
Compared to the first half of 2016, in the second half the most notable decline within the coniferous tree sector was observed in purchase prices of pine sawlogs in diameter under 14 cm (of 7% or on average 3 euros/cubic meter (excluding VAT)) and of that in diameter 14-18 cm (6% or on average 3 euros/cubic meter (excluding VAT)). The smallest reduction was recorded in purchase prices of pine sawlogs in diameter 18-26 cm (of 2% or on average 1 euro/cubic meter (excluding VAT)) and in purchase prices of spruce sawlogs in diameter 18-26 cm (1%). No changes were registered in purchase prices of pine sawlogs in diameter exceeding 26 cm (65 euros/cubic meter (excluding VAT)), spruce sawlogs in diameter under 14 cm (56 euros) and spruce sawlogs in diameter exceeding 26 cm (67 euros). The only increase was recorded in purchase prices of spruce sawlogs in diameter 14-18 cm (of 4% or on average 2 euros/cubic meter (excluding VAT)).
Compared to the first half of 2016, in the second half the greatest drop within the coniferous round timber sector was registered in purchase prices of birch sawlogs in diameter 18-24 cm (of 7% or on average 3 euros/cubic meter (excluding VAT)). The smallest decline was observed in purchase prices of asp sawlogs in diameter 18-24 cm and that in diameter exceeding 24 cm – of 4%, or 1 euro/cubic meter (excluding VAT) and 1%, respectively. The average purchase prices of black alder in diameter 18-24 cm grew by 1%, while that of black alder in diameter exceeding 24 cm by 9%, or by 3 euros. Within the deciduous round timber sector, the greatest rise was registered in purchase prices of birch sawlogs in diameter exceeding 24 cm – of 8%, or 5 euros/cubic meter (excluding VAT).
Compared to the first half of 2016, in the second half the average purchase prices of birch veneer logs of category A fell by 8 euros/cubic meter (excluding VAT) or by 7%. The average purchase prices of birch veneer logs of category B rose by 3% or on average by 2 euros. (BNN/Business World Magazine)
