German sawmills are running out of wood. The shortage of raw materials is even forcing companies to reduce working hours. But forest farmers are voicing sharp criticism online.

A report on the YouTube channel of Bavarian broadcaster BR24 (BR) addresses the current shortage of raw materials at sawmills. After a year of hard work – thanks to huge quantities of damaged timber – they are now facing a wood shortage.

According to BR, the shortage is causing problems for many companies. As the owner of a sawmill in Kronach in Franconia explains, he will even have to introduce short-time working from November for this reason. This is despite the fact that he has called all the forest owners in the Franconian Forest and tried everything to get hold of round timber.

What sounds like a raw materials crisis is provoking strong reactions from the forestry industry. Many forest owners and foresters are speaking out in the comments section of the BR24 video – in no uncertain terms.

Rip-off: Foresters and forest farmers criticize sawmills
“I am a timber seller, there is enough wood,” writes one commentator. The problem is not a shortage, but the sawmills' pricing policy over many years. During the bark beetle years, many companies bought extremely cheap wood—often to the detriment of forest owners. Contracts were not honored, and prices were subsequently depressed.

Today, the tide has turned. Those who are now willing to pay fair prices will also receive wood. Loyal buyers from the crisis would continue to be supplied. The “bargain hunters,” as they are called, would be left empty-handed.

“2,500 euros for cut wood, 30 euros for beetle wood”
One user sums up the anger of many forest owners: “No sympathy. In 2020–2022, cut timber was sold for €2,500/m³ and just €30/m³ was paid for ‘defective’ beetle-infested wood.” The accusation: sawmills made huge profits during the crisis – at the expense of forest owners. Today, there is a lack of willingness to pay market prices.

Another comment also cites clear figures: “Given the inflation of recent years, a cubic meter of spruce roundwood should cost at least €200.” The general consensus is that those who push down prices in times of need should not be surprised if the wood goes to others.

The controversy surrounding short-time working: shortage or market?
Some even question whether short-time working is justified in this case. If wood is available on the market but not at the desired price, this is not a real bottleneck, they argue. Others take a more nuanced view: higher purchase prices mean higher production costs, which cannot be immediately passed on to the market.

Ultimately, the question remains: Is this a genuine raw material shortage or a market problem?

Source: forstpraxis.de