Austria's sawmills currently have sufficient storage and transport capacity. Prices are stable.
       
Along with a slight economic recovery, timber prices in Austria remain stable across all assortments. Forest protection is the top priority in the forest these days, informs LK Österreich.

Current economic indicators show a slightly positive assessment of the economy by companies, albeit still at a low level. The assessment of the construction industry is also slightly more positive for the first time in months.

Sufficient round timber capacities
The Austrian sawmill industry is quite capable of absorbing spruce saw logs, and demand is correspondingly high. Storage capacities are available and the assortments provided are usually transported and accepted quickly. Prices are stable. The storms of recent weeks led to small, very narrowly defined quantities of damaged timber. However, there is sufficient harvesting and freight capacity available. Demand for larch continues to exceed supply and prices are stable at a high level.

Balanced market for industrial timber
The locations of the paper, pulp and panel industries are very well stocked with coniferous industrial timber. Demand is generally sufficient and in balance with supply. The quantities are removed continuously and promptly. Red beech fibrewood must still be viewed in a differentiated manner. While there is brisk demand in the south of Austria, there is a limited supply in the north. Prices are stable.

The situation on the energy wood market remains tense and marketing is difficult apart from long-term contracts. Prices are stable. Despite abundant rainfall in recent weeks, there is still a precipitation deficit of twelve per cent across Austria compared to 1961 to 1990, in some regions even more pronounced at up to 40 per cent. For this reason, the utmost attention must be paid to forest hygiene. It should also be noted that the rainy weather makes it more difficult to diagnose infestations, as the bore dust is washed away. This makes it all the more important to check forest stands these days for individual litters and broken treetops and to remove material that is capable of breeding as quickly as possible.



All prices quoted refer to transactions from May to mid-June and are net prices. The following tax rates apply to the sale of timber to entrepreneurs: for flat-rate VAT for all product ranges 13%, for standard taxation for energy wood and firewood 13% and for round timber 20%.

Source: LK Österreich