Higher freight costs push MENA lumber prices lower

Lumber prices in Middle East and North Africa (MENA) markets are declining as supply chain disruptions and sharply higher freight costs weigh on trade. European softwood lumber is currently offered at around €300–330/m³ ex-mill, broadly unchanged compared with previous months. However, logistics costs have increased markedly. War-risk surcharges of about €50–60/m³, combined with base freight of €40–50/m³, are pushing total transport costs to roughly €90–110/m³. In some cases, additional insurance premiums and port-related costs add a further €5–10/m³, depending on destination and route. This raises ...