Costly logs and cautious buyers trouble Sweden’s sawmills

The outlook for Sweden’s timber market remains difficult to read as 2026 begins. Global demand is uneven, construction activity remains subdued and profitability across large parts of the forest industry is under pressure. Even where economic indicators show modest improvement, caution still dominates purchasing decisions. According to Norra Skog, uncertainty is currently the defining feature of the market. Companies and consumers alike remain careful with spending, and the effects are visible throughout the forest industry supply chain. Low housing construction continues to weigh heavily on sawmills. At the same time, weaker retail activity and slower growth ...