Upper Austrian sawmills are looking for coniferous logs to fill their stocks in the autumn. However, because round timber is scarce, this is difficult. The background is positive: The damage caused by bark beetles was significantly lower this year than in recent years due to the wet weather. As a result, fewer trees have been taken from the forest.

The amounts of damaged wood caused by the bark beetle are low this year. In order to contain the spread of the bark beetle as much as possible, the forest farmers are removing the trees infested with bark beetles from the forest as quickly as possible. But this year, due to the wet weather this summer, there was less infestation with the bark beetle. As a result, significantly less wood has been brought out of the forests in recent weeks.

According to the chairman of the Upper Austrian Wood Industry, Ferdinand Reisecker, this means that every tree that comes out of the forest is immediately taken over by a sawmill.

Rising wood prices expected from autumn
To meet demand, sawmills are turning to their regular suppliers, including forest farmers and forestry companies, to get fresh timber delivered. The sawmills are already paying five to ten percent more to their suppliers, according to Reisecker. But they would also rely on the long-term and years-long partnership between sawmill and supplier.

According to Reisecker, the price increase has not been passed on so far. That is likely to change in the autumn. Reisecker expects a price increase in line with inflation. Lumber is likely to become three to four percent more expensive, according to his estimate.

Forest farmers can thus counteract inflation
Franz Kepplinger, chairman of the Upper Austrian Forest Association, emphasized to ORF Upper Austria that the increased harvesting costs make price increases necessary. Only in this way can the forest farmers sustainably manage the forest.

Outlook on the timber market
Christian Rottensteiner, timber market expert at the Chamber of Agriculture, expects a relaxation of the shortage of coniferous roundwood in the autumn and winter. Due to the rising prices of round timber, more foresters are expected to harvest trees. In addition, the harvest in the forest traditionally begins in October, according to Rottesteiner.

Source: ooe.orf.at