During the last week, untreated timber auctions at Ukrainian Energy Exchange showed the following results:
- Exhibited volume was 25,65 th. c. m;
- Sold timber 19,15 th. c. m;
- Timber ales value was UAH 75,66 mln. (incl. VAT);
- Forestry agencies received additional income during the English auction in the amount of UAH 11,96 million (incl. VAT).
Sale of untreated timber was carried out by forestry enterprises from 7 regions of Ukraine. The largest volume was sold in Khmelnytskyi region.
Distribution of untreated timber sales was as follows: 62% – round timber, 38% – firewood.
Round timber
During the reporting period, 11,94 thousand cubic meters of round timber were sold for a total amount of UAH 62,10 million (incl. VAT).
The most sold were pine, oak and spruce, where the share of their sales in the overall structure was 61,26%, 20,81% and 4,99%, respectively. There was also the sale of such species as alder, red oak, ash, hornbeam, beech, and others.
The average increase from the starting price at English auctions was 18%. Given that the auction step is 1%, the highest average was for beech – 43, aspen – 28, alder – 25.
Firewood
During the reporting period, the volume of firewood sales amounted to 7,20 thousand cubic meters for the amount of 13,56 million UAH (including VAT).
The vast majority of firewood (92%) was sold for industrial use, while 8% was sold for non-industrial use.
Among firewood, spruce and hardwood were in the greatest demand, accounting for 41% and 31%, respectively.
The graph below shows the structure of firewood sales by assortment and species.
Price indexes
The largest upward trend among the price indices for round timber was shown by oak, whose cost amounted to 24389,08 UAH/cubic m including VAT.
In turn, the maximum decrease was observed for alder. The weighted average price index amounted to 6227,10 UAH/cubic m including VAT, which is 14% less than last week’s figures.
Weighted Average Timber Price Index, for July 21 - 25, 2025
| Breed | UAH/cubic meter (including VAT) |
|---|---|
| Silver Birch | 5,079.14 |
| Forest beech | 4,040.60 |
| Black alder | 6,227.10 |
| Common oak | 24,389.08 |
| Common pine | 4,022.63 |
| European spruce | 3,904.87 |
| White fir | 3,891.53 |
| Common ash | 6 517.89 |
Price index for firewood of non-industrial use of the third group increased the most, reaching UAH 1199,58/cubic m with VAT, which is 31% more than in the previous period.
Among all types of firewood, the cost of firewood of the second group decreased the most, which now amounts to UAH 993,91/cubic m with VAT, which is 17% less than the previous indicator.
Europe timber market overview
Estonian timber market to stabilized in 2025, but investment uncertainty persists
Estonian timber market entered a phase of relative stability in 2025 after a period of sharp price fluctuations caused by the pandemic, logistical disruptions and geopolitical tensions. Although prices remain above pre-war levels, previous volatility has significantly decreased, allowing forest owners and producers to plan their activities with more confidence.
According to the Rakvere Forestry Association, the market is now showing balance instead of sudden changes. In 2020–2022, the price surge was caused by high demand and supply shortages, especially for softwoods, which led to price records for pine and spruce logs. However, after the peak period, there was a gradual correction against the background of normalization of stocks and cooling of external demand.
France: Log prices hit record highs, but lumber lags behind
Economic history proves that a rapid increase in raw material prices often ends in an equally rapid decline. This rule was not avoided by the French forestry industry. After a surge in demand, particularly from China, in the early 2000s, the beech market collapsed. A similar situation was repeated after the post-Covid boom - oak prices, for example, began to decline after just a few seasons.
Under this circumstances, Douglas fir is now showing a new surge. In 2025, prices exceeded the previous peaks of late 2021 - early 2022. For example, according to one auction, Douglas fir lots, which in 2022 cost 66 EUR/m³, are now selling for 120 EUR/m³. Some lots even reach 135 EUR/m³. Demand is high both on the domestic market and from neighboring countries, although exporters note a decrease in activity in the Benelux.
Meanwhile, the Douglas fir market is operating at two speeds. While demand for large-sized timber for framing, landscaping and outdoor use is growing, producers of smaller-sized timber are facing sales difficulties. Many sawmills are closing down their capacity and purchasing activity is declining. In addition, there is a growing shift towards white conifers, which are showing better profitability in a volatile market.
China’s log demand drops to 50000 m³/day due to slight increase in inventories
In July, CFR prices for A-grade logs are holding at USD 113-117/JAS³. Demand in the Chinese market has decreased to ~50,000 m³ per day due to extreme heat and adverse weather conditions, which has led to an increase in stocks to 2,7 million m³. Supplies from New Zealand remain below average due to rain and storms.
Imports of softwood logs from Europe to China in the first half of 2025 collapsed by 59% (–1,14 million m³) compared to the same period in 2024. This is due to high prices in the EU, which remain at the same level, despite falling demand and pressure on buyers’ margins.
Meanwhile, China’s Caixin PMI rose to 50,4 in June, the highest reading since November 2024. The main driver was growth in domestic orders, although export demand remains weak.
Large-scale infrastructure projects in China, such as the construction of the Yarlung Tsangbo hydroelectric dam, are attracting attention but have had limited impact on New Zealand log imports. Due to the remote location of the site, most of the wood is sourced locally, with the role of imported pine being minimal. The overall residential and industrial construction market in more accessible regions remains key.