Europe’s sawmills want higher prices, but buyers are resisting

The European sawn timber market changed little during the first quarter, with most suppliers describing business as steady but unspectacular. Hopes for a stronger start to the year gradually faded through March as construction demand failed to improve in a meaningful way across several markets. “Everyone thought the winter would be more active than last year,” one Nordic supplier said. “But by the end of the quarter people became more cautious again. Customers were still buying only what they needed.” Most Nordic producers entered 2026 with relatively balanced order books after reducing output during late 2025, and this ...