High price levels push industrial roundwood harvesting higher in Central Europe

Elevated timber prices across Central Europe are prompting forest owners to increase industrial roundwood harvesting, reversing the cautious supply behaviour seen during parts of last year. Strong price levels for both sawlogs and pulpwood have improved harvesting margins, making a wider range of assortments economically viable. Where thinning operations and lower-grade stands were previously postponed due to cost pressures, the current pricing environment is encouraging owners to proceed. The development is particularly visible in softwood markets. Spruce and pine assortments have traded at sustained high levels in early 2026, reflecting tight availability and continued demand from sawmills ...