Russian timber industry raises sawlog prices due to anticipated shortages

Sawmills in Russia began raising their sawlog purchase prices in the second half of September. This is due to changes in the lumber market, where an imbalance between supply and demand persists. Lumber production in Russia has been declining since the beginning of the year, and consumption remains weak both domestically and internationally. Meanwhile, domestic prices are declining, while contract prices in China are rising amid declining inventories and a supply shortage from Siberia. Sawlog purchase prices remained stable for a long time, but fluctuations in the ruble exchange rate and the risk of raw material shortages have ...