The global corona crisis is now also affecting the wood markets. Already in January, the export of round and sawn timber had to be greatly reduced due to the lack of containers to China, but also to other overseas markets. The general corona restrictions are increasingly causing problems in Europe in the export of sawn timber and sawn timber – especially to Italy. This emerges from the latest timber market report of the LK Austria.
Sawmills start to cut production
Due to the great uncertainty, the news about production cuts at the sawmills in Austria is growing. After the roundwood storage is already unusually full to the season, there are already feed quotas and first feed locks for needlesaw logs. The forest camps are therefore building up rapidly and prices are coming under pressure. With fretwork sawn timber, oak continues to be in great demand at attractive prices. Poor hardwood qualities, however, are hardly deductible.
Industrial wood: Acceptance quota
The production of softwood industrial wood for the paper, pulp and board industry must also be coordinated in advance between the contracting parties. The acceptance is strictly quota, additional quantities outside of contracts will be difficult to deduct. The prices are at a very low level. The sales of red beech wood are largely undisturbed with stable prices and good stocks.
There have been no improvements on the energy wood market compared to the previous month: the excess supply of energy and sawn waste meets full stocks and low demand.
Use sales opportunities in the hardwood area
Due to the currently confusing situation and the expected sales problems – at the latest when fresh beetle infestation occurs – forest owners are advised to limit the harvesting activities to the removal of storm and snow break damage. Individual trees should be used as catch trees, but must be separated from the roots in order to be catchy. Sales opportunities should be used in the area of hardwood. All marketing activities must be carefully coordinated between the contracting parties in order to avoid quality losses and forest protection problems, the forest experts advise. AIZ
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